1. There is hereby created in the Missouri board of pharmacy the “RX Cares for Missouri Program”. The goal of the program shall be to promote medication safety and to prevent prescription drug abuse, misuse, and diversion in Missouri.

2. The board, in consultation with the department, shall be authorized to expend, allocate, or award funds appropriated to the board to private or public entities to develop or provide programs or education to promote medication safety or to suppress or prevent prescription drug abuse, misuse, and diversion in the state of Missouri. In no case shall the authorization include, nor the funds be expended for, any state prescription drug monitoring program including, but not limited to, such as are defined in 38 C.F.R. § 1.515. Funds disbursed to a state agency under this section may enhance, but shall not supplant, funds otherwise appropriated to such state agency.

3. The board shall be the administrative agency responsible for implementing the program in consultation with the department. The board and the department may enter into interagency agreements between themselves to allow the department to assist in the management or operation of the program. The board may award funds directly to the department to implement, manage, develop, or provide programs or education pursuant to the program.

^*4. After a full year of program operation, the board shall prepare and submit an evaluation report to the governor and the general assembly describing the operation of the program and the funds allocated. Unless otherwise authorized by the general assembly, the program shall expire on August 28, 2026.