(a) All persons acting on behalf of the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy in the impaired pharmacist program under this section shall be considered officers or employees of the State of Arkansas for purposes of:
(1) Immunity from civil liability pursuant to § 19-10-301 et seq.; and
(2) Payment of actual damages on behalf of state officers or employees pursuant to § 21-9-201 et seq.
(b) All patient records shall be confidential and shall not be subject to public inspection except pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. However, the records may be introduced as evidence in any relevant proceedings before the board and shall be produced upon board request.