(1) In addition to any other action authorized by law, the department will issue a notice of violation, warning letter, or notice of inspection results to any person that violates chapter 499, part I, F.S., and this rule chapter if the documented facts of the case so warrant.

Terms Used In Florida Regulations 61N-1.024

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
    (2) The department sets forth below a summary listing of prohibited acts or other actions which constitute a violation of chapter 499, F.S., or the rules adopted thereunder. The purpose of this listing is to give notice to permittees, registrants and other persons of the range of penalties which will normally be imposed for violation of particular provisions of chapter 499, F.S., or rules adopted thereunder in a case where a person is adjudged by the department by final order incorporating an Administrative Complaint to have violated a provision of chapter 499, F.S., or chapter 61N-1, F.A.C. Whenever a violation of a particular provision of chapter 499, F.S., or chapter 61N-1, F.A.C., is addressed by more than one guideline penalty provision below, the more severe applicable penalty provision will apply. The descriptions of the violations below are only intended to be generally descriptive. The reader should look to the actual statutory and rule provisions cited below to determine the conduct the law actually requires or prohibits.
    (3) The guidelines are based upon a single count violation of each provision listed. Each separate violation of a provision of chapter 499, F.S., or chapter 61N-1, F.A.C., is subject to a separate fine. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate violation.
    (4) These guidelines generally reflect the Department’s position as to the severity of a given violation. In determining the applicable penalty within a given guideline range, for a violation of a provision of chapter 499, part I, F.S., or a rule adopted thereunder, the Department will also consider any previous violations of those provisions by a person as well as any actions taken to correct a violation or remedy complaints.
    (5) The following codes outline department policy under Florida Statutes § 499.066, and are used to designate the general severity in terms of the threat to the public health for a violation.
    3 = Administrative Complaint with a fine ranging from $250.00 to $1,000.00 per violation and up to suspension of permits for one year.
    2 = Administrative Complaint with a fine ranging from $1,000.00 to $3,000.00 per violation, and up to permanent suspension or revocation of permits.
    1 = Administrative Complaint with a fine ranging from $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 per violation; and up to permanent suspension or revocation of permits.
CITE
VIOLATION
GENERAL
SEVERITY
499 refers to chapter 499, F.S.

1 refers to chapter 61N-1, F.A.C.

FACILITY, STORAGE:

Section 499.0121(a), F.S.;

Subsection 61N-1.014(4), F.A.C.
Inadequate facility.
3
Section 499.0121(1)(b), F.S.
Inadequate security.
3
Section 499.0121(1)(a), F.S.
Unrestricted access to prescription drugs.
3
Subsection 61N-1.022(4), F.A.C.
Unrestricted access to ether.
3
Florida Statutes § 499.0121(3)
Inadequate storage.
3
Subsections 61N-1.013(3), and 61N-1.014(1), F.A.C.
Improper temperature conditions.
2
Section 499.0121(1)(b)F.S.
Improper ventilation/physical access.
3
Section 499.0121(1)(c)F.S.; subsection 61N-1.013(4), F.A.C., and Florida Statutes § 499.05355(2)
No quarantine area.
3
MISCELLANEOUS:

Florida Statutes § 499.012(6)
Failure to comply with Florida Statutes § 499.012(6)
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(4)
Activity in violation of law or rules.
3
Florida Statutes § 499.005(20)
Import prescription drug contrary to Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act.
1
Florida Statutes § 499.005(21)
Wholesaling health care entity Rx drugs.
1
Sections 499.01(2)(j), and (2)(m), F.S.
Returning sold drug to inventory.
2
Subsection 61N-1.023(5), F.A.C.
Failure to monitor.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(7)
Using currency for Rx drug transaction.
2-1
OPERATING:

Sections 499.005(6), and 499.67(5), F.S.
Refusing entry, inspection, taking evidence.
1
Paragraph 61N-1.015(2)(c), F.A.C.
Inaccessible during business hours.
2
Sections 499.005(22), 499.62, F.S., and Fl. Admin. Code R. 61N-12.015
Failure to obtain proper permit.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.015, and Fl. Admin. Code R. 61N-12.016
Failure to register products ($50 per product per year).
3
Section 499.01(4)(a), F.S., and subsection 61N-12.016(4), F.A.C.
Failure to notify dept. of address change.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.012(16)
Violation by or related to certified representative.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.039
Transfer of harmful substance.
3
Florida Statutes § 499.039
Tranfer violation causing injury.
1
RECORDKEEPING:

Sections 499.005(18), 499.0121(6), 499.028, 499.052, 499.66, 499.67, F.S., and rule 61N-1.012, subsection 61N-1.022(3), F.A.C.
Failing to maintain records, inventories.
2
Sections 499.66, 499.67, F.S., and Fl. Admin. Code R. 61N-1.012
Failing to make records available.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(28)
Absence of/not providing pedigree papers.
1
Subsection 61N-1.012(1), F.A.C.
Not maintaining a complete audit trail.
2
Subsection 61N-1.012(12), F.A.C.
Separate records, multiple businesses.

Subsection 61N-1.007(2), F.A.C.
No written procedures for medical oxygen.
2
SAMPLES:

Florida Statutes § 499.005(17)
Sample drug distribution – activity with.
1
Florida Statutes § 499.005(25)
Charging a dispensing fee for a prescription sample.
1
ADULTERATED AND MISBRANDED:
Florida Statutes § 499.005(1)
Activity with adulterated or misbranded product.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(2)
Adulterating or misbranding a product.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(3)
Receiving adulterated/misbranded product.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(9)
Making a product misbranded.
2
Subsection 61N-1.007(3), F.A.C.
Improper labeling on medical oxygen.
2
Section 499.013(2)(a), F.S.
Prescription Drug Manufacturer not following GMP.
2
Section 499.013(2)(b), F.S.
OTC Drug Manufacturer not following GMP.
2
Section 499.013(2)(c), F.S., and subsection 61N-1.007(1), F.A.C.
Comp. Med. Gas Manufacturer not following GMP.
2
Section 499.013(2)(d), F.S.
Device Manufacturer not following GMP.
2
Fl. Admin. Code R. 61N-1.010
Cosmetic Manufacturer not following GMP/guidelines.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(1)
Activity with drug which left regulatory control, GMP.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(26)
Removing pharmacy dispensing label.
1
Florida Statutes § 499.005(27)
Distributing previously dispensed Rx drug.
1
Sections 499.005(28), and (29), F.S.
Pedigree paper violation.
1
Section 499.0121(4)(d), F.S.
Failure to authenticate pedigree.
1
COUNTERFEIT:

Florida Statutes § 499.005(8)
Making/dealing in a counterfeit product.
1
FALSE AND MISLEADING:

Florida Statutes § 499.005(5), and Fl. Admin. Code R. 61N-1.002
Disseminating false/misleading ad.
3
Florida Statutes § 499.005(10)
Forging, counterfeiting, falsely representing a product.
1
Florida Statutes § 499.005(11)
Labeling or advertisement of effectiveness when not.
3
Sections 499.005(19), 499.005(23), 499.66 and 499.67, F.S.
Making false or fraudulent statements.
1
Section 499.005(19), 499.64(4), and 499.67, F.S.
Providing department with false/fraudulent records/statements.
1
Florida Statutes § 499.0054
Advertising Violations.
3
Florida Statutes § 499.005(23)
Obtaining/attempting to obtain by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, subterfuge.
1
Florida Statutes § 499.005(13)
Activity w/self-testing HIV/AIDS products.
2
UNAUTHORIZED SOURCE OR RECIPIENT:

Florida Statutes § 499.005(14)
Purchase or receipt of prescription drug from unauthorized source.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(16)
Purchase or receipt of Comp. Med. Gas from unauthorized source.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(15)
Sale or transfer of prescription drug to unauthorized person.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(24)
Sale or transfer of legend device to unauthorized person.

Section 499.01(2)(j), F.S. and subsection 61N-1.012(4), F.A.C.
Improper sale of veterinary Rx drug.
2
Subsection 61N-1.012(4), F.A.C.
Distribution of medical oxygen by medical oxygen retailer without a prescription (order)

Florida Statutes § 499.66
Sale or transfer of ether to unauthorized person.
2
POSSESSION:

Section 499.01(2)(j), F.S.
Activity relating to human Rx drug by Vet. Retailer.
2
Section 499.01(2)(p)1., F.S.
Possession of prescription drug by OTC Mfgr.
2
Section 499.01(2)(o)1., F.S.
Possession or manufacture of other Rx drug by Comp. Med. Gas Manufacturer.
2
Section 499.01(2)(m), F.S.
Possession of other Rx drugs by medical oxygen retailer.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.023
Activity with unapproved new drug.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.03(1)
Illegal possession, etc. of habit forming toxic, etc. new drug.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.005(12)
Possession in violation of sections 499.001-499.081, F.S.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.028(15)
Illegal possession of a sample drug.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.65
Illegal possession of ether >2.5 gallons.
2
Florida Statutes § 499.69
Possession of ether within 500′ of residence.
2
    (6) Administrative fines due the department may be paid by personal check, corporate check, cashier’s check, certified check, money order, or other guaranteed funds, payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Program, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1047. The department will take further legal action, including but not limited to, enforcing the underlying agreement if payment of an administrative fine by means of non-guaranteed funds does not result in the full payment of the fine.
    (7) If a limited prescription drug veterinary wholesale distributor, prescription drug wholesale distributor or out-of-state prescription drug wholesale distributor fails to pay an administrative fine or costs within 30 days after the fine or costs become final, the department may make a claim against the bond or other security as authorized by chapter 499, F.S., and this rule chapter.
    (8) For any alleged violation of chapter 499, F.S., or chapter 61N-1, F.A.C., the Department may elect to provide the alleged violator with a notice of violation, in order to facilitate the uncontested settlement of all issues related to a complaint or investigation. Generally, this will be done at the completion of an investigation and prior to the filing of an Administrative Complaint. The notice of violation will advise the alleged violator of the statutory violations and provide a proposed penalty for settlement of the disciplinary matters related to a complaint. Upon issuing the notice of violation to an alleged violator, the Department will provide instructions on when and how the alleged violator can settle the disciplinary matter by accepting the notice of violation.
    (9) No provision in this section will prevent or restrict the Department from denying a permit, registration or certification based on any provision of chapter 499, F.S., that authorizes such action.
    (10) No provision of this section will prevent or restrict the Department’s authority to enter into any settlement agreement concerning violations of chapter 499, F.S., or this rule chapter, pursuant to the authority of Florida Statutes § 120.57(4)
Rulemaking Authority 499.039, 499.05, 499.701 FS. Law Implemented 499.012, 499.039, 499.05, 499.066, 499.067, 499.701, 499.72 FS. History-New 7-1-96, Formerly 10D-45.0595, Amended 1-26-99, 4-17-01, 1-1-04, 2-24-05, 9-22-09, Formerly 64F-12.024.