Maryland § 3-401

§ 3-401.

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

    (b)    “Authorized prescriber” means a licensed registered nurse, licensed dentist, licensed physician, licensed physician’s assistant, licensed podiatrist, or other individual authorized by law to prescribe prescription or nonprescription drugs or devices.

    (c)    “Committee” means the Committee on Registered Nurses Personally Preparing and Dispensing Drugs and Devices in Local Health Departments.

    (d)    (1)    “Device” means an item used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease.

        (2)    “Device” does not include:

            (i)    Surgical or dental instruments;

            (ii)    Physical therapy equipment;

            (iii)    X–ray apparatuses; or

            (iv)    Component parts of or accessories for any of the items described in items (i) through (iii) of this paragraph.

    (e)    (1)    “Dispense” means a procedure that results in the receipt of a drug or device by a patient or a patient’s agent.

        (2)    “Dispense” includes:

            (i)    Interpreting an authorized prescriber’s prescription for a drug or device;

            (ii)    Selecting and labeling the drug or device prescribed;

            (iii)    Measuring and packaging the drug or device in accordance with State and federal law; and

            (iv)    Documenting the transaction in the patient’s medical record.

    (f)    “Drug” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a prescription or nonprescription drug.

    (g)    “Formulary” means a list of drugs and devices.

    (h)    “Nonprescription drug” means a drug that:

        (1)    May be sold without a prescription; and

        (2)    Is labeled for use by a consumer in accordance with State and federal law.

    (i)    “Personally prepare and dispense” means to:

        (1)    Physically prepare a prescription;

        (2)    Perform a final check of the prescription before dispensing it to a patient; and

        (3)    Not delegate any step of the dispensing process.

    (j)    “Prescription drug” means a drug that, under § 21–220 of this article, may be dispensed only on the prescription of an authorized prescriber.

    (k)    “Registered nurse” means an individual who:

        (1)    Is licensed by the State Board of Nursing to practice registered nursing under Title 8 of the Health Occupations Article; and

        (2)    Personally prepares and dispenses drugs and devices in a local health department:

            (i)    In accordance with the Overdose Response Program under Title 13, Subtitle 31 of this article or the Expedited Partner Therapy Pilot Program under § 18–214.1 of this article; or

            (ii)    To patients in need of communicable disease, alcohol and drug abuse, family planning, or reproductive health services.