2013 Maryland Code
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
§ 8-508 - Preparation and dispensing of drugs by nurse practitioners

§8-508.

(a) (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) 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) 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) 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.