Mission and Goal

The Pharmacist Recovery Network (PRN) serves as an advocacy
group for impaired and recovering pharmacists. The PRN Board,
which is made up of both recovering and non-recovering
pharmacists, works closely with the Board of Pharmacy in
managing the recovery and monitoring process of pharmacists
in the state of Indiana.

The PRN understands the fears and concerns of a pharmacist
impaired by drugs or alcohol. The PRN Network is based on the
belief that as valued members of the health care team,
pharmacists are accountable to their patients, the profession,
and themselves. PRN further believes the profession has a responsibility to provide a mechanism which assists pharmacists in recognizing self or peer impairment from drugs or alcohol.

The goals of the PRN are to:

• Provide assistance to chemically impaired pharmacists through intervention, confrontation, listening or sharing
• To assist pharmacists in their recovery process
• To provide advocacy for recovering pharmacists before employers, the board of pharmacy, or other administrative bodies
• To educate pharmacists, pharmacy students, and health care providers about chemical dependency

The PRN board works closely with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) and Indiana Board of Pharmacy. The Board often refers clients to the PRN board for monitoring following a hearing by the board where a pharmacist is found to be in violation of their license. The PRN board will develop a contract with that pharmacist and guide them as they work a recovery process.

Another way that the PRN gains clients is by self-referral or referrals by others who live or work closely with the impaired professional. By this means, the PRN may help the pharmacist through a recovery process before any intervention by the Board of Pharmacy is necessary.