The board may issue subpoenas and subpoena duces tecum for hearings or investigations, and it must keep patient identities confidential when records or testimony are involved.
§1246. Issuance of subpoenas; witnesses; production of records; maintenance of confidentiality A. The board, or its designated agent, may issue subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence or documentation that relates to any matter properly under investigation or in question before the board or committee conducting the hearing or investigation. B. Each witness who appears before the board pursuant to subpoena shall receive for his attendance the fees and mileage provided for witnesses in civil cases in the courts of this state. C. No subpoena shall be issued at the request of a party other than the board unless the fees and mileage provided for in Subsection B of this Section are deposited to the board in advance. D. In case of refusal to obey a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum issued to any person or entity, the board may apply to any district court within the jurisdiction where the inquiry is conducted or within the jurisdiction where such person is domiciled, resides, or transacts business, to issue to such person or entity an order requiring him to appear before the board, its members, agent, or agency, to produce evidence if ordered or to give testimony concerning the matter under investigation or in question. E. Notwithstanding any privilege or confidentiality recognized by law, no person engaging or assisting in the provision of pharmacy services with which such pharmacist is affiliated shall, acting under any such privilege, fail or refuse to respond to a lawfully issued subpoena of the board for any pharmaceutical or medical information, testimony, records, data, reports or other documents, tangible items, or information relative to any patient served by any such pharmacist or person assisting a pharmacist under investigation. However, the identity of any patient identified in or such records or information shall be maintained in confidence by the board and shall be deemed a privilege of confidentiality existing in favor of any such patient. For the purpose of maintaining such confidentiality of patient identity, the board shall cause any such records or the transcript of any such testimony to be altered so as to prevent the disclosure of the identity of the patient to whom such records or testimony relates. Acts 1999, No. 767, §1.