Massachusetts § 249 - Authorization of pharmacy operated by the department to distribute controlled substances

§ 249. Authorization of pharmacy operated by the department to distribute controlled substances

[ Text of section added by 2025, 14, Sec. 40 effective August 5, 2025.]

  Section 249. (a) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in section 1 of chapter 94C shall apply unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

  (b) At the commissioner's discretion, and in accordance with applicable law, the department may authorize a pharmacy operated by the department to distribute controlled substances to health care providers and entities legally authorized to administer, possess, distribute, deliver or dispense controlled substances for the benefit of any person, whether or not the person is under the custody, care or supervision of an agency of the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, applicable controlled substances registration requirements; provided, however, that such controlled substances shall be: (i) related to the provision of reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as those terms are defined in section 11I1/2 of chapter 12; or (ii) distributed to ensure access to controlled substances needed to address a risk to the public health; and provided further, that in exercising the authority granted under this section, the department shall be exempt from obtaining a pharmacy license in accordance with section 39 of chapter 112.