Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 5 - Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 8-508 - Preparation and Dispensing of Drugs by Nurse Practitioners

(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 Office of Controlled Substances Administration 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.