Section 8-508 - Preparation and dispensing of drugs by nurse practitioners. - Maryland Statutes

§ 8-508. Preparation and dispensing of drugs by nurse practitioners.
 

(a)  Definitions.-  

(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 

(2) "Nurse practitioner" means a registered nurse who is: 

(i) Certified as a nurse practitioner; and 

(ii) Authorized to prescribe drugs under regulations adopted by the State Board of Nursing. 

(3) "Starter dosage" means an amount of drug sufficient to begin therapy: 

(i) Of short duration of 72 hours or less; or 

(ii) Prior to obtaining a larger quantity of the drug to complete therapy. 

(4) "Personally prepare and dispense" means that a nurse practitioner: 

(i) Is physically present on the premises where the prescription is filled; and 

(ii) Performs a final check of the prescription before it is provided to the patient. 

(b)  Starter dosages.- A nurse practitioner may personally prepare and dispense a starter dosage of any drug the nurse practitioner is authorized to prescribe to a patient of the nurse practitioner if: 

(1) The starter dosage complies with the labeling requirements of § 12-505 of this article; 

(2) No charge is made for the starter dosage; and 

(3) The nurse practitioner enters an appropriate record in the patient's medical record. 

(c)  Locations.- In accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, a nurse practitioner may personally prepare and dispense any drug that a nurse practitioner may prescribe to the extent permitted by law in the course of treating a patient at: 

(1) A medical facility or clinic that specializes in the treatment of medical cases reimbursable through workers' compensation insurance; 

(2) A medical facility or clinic that is operated on a nonprofit basis; 

(3) A health center that operates on a campus of an institution of higher education; 

(4) A public health facility, a medical facility under contract with a State or local health department, or a facility funded with public funds; or 

(5) A nonprofit hospital or a nonprofit hospital outpatient facility as authorized under the policies established by the hospital. 

(d)  Requirements.- A nurse practitioner who personally prepares and dispenses a drug in the course of treating a patient as authorized under subsection (c) of this section shall: 

(1) Comply with the labeling requirements of § 12-505 of this article; 

(2) Record the dispensing of the prescription drug on the patient's chart; 

(3) Allow the Division of Drug Control to enter and inspect the nurse practitioner's office at all reasonable hours; and 

(4) Except for starter dosages or samples dispensed without charge, provide the patient with a written prescription, maintain prescription files, and maintain a separate file for Schedule II prescriptions for a period of at least 5 years. 
 

[1993, ch. 454; 2003, ch. 252, § 10; 2010, chs. 77, 78.]