Which factor does the board aim to safeguard the public against?

The board's main focus is to protect the public from unqualified pharmacy practice, which can occur due to various impairments, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, or lack of proper training. This safeguard is essential because unqualified practitioners can jeopardize patient safety, potentially leading to medication errors, improper advice, or inadequate care. By ensuring that all pharmacy professionals meet certain qualifications and maintain their ability to practice safely, the board works to maintain high standards in patient care and medication management.

Other factors, while significant in their own contexts, do not directly align with the board's primary mission of safeguarding public health through the evaluation of pharmacy practice qualifications. High drug prices and insufficient access to pharmacies reflect broader economic and social issues rather than specific qualifications of practitioners. Illegal substance distribution, while critical to address, typically falls more under law enforcement rather than the primary mandate of pharmacy practice regulation.