Title 5. Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescriptions, and Other Substances — Subtitle 5. Prescriptions
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 5-501 (2026)
Title 5. Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescriptions, and Other Substances
Subtitle 5. Prescriptions
§ 5–501LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not dispense a controlled dangerous substance without a written prescription or an electronic prescription from an authorized provider if the substance is:
(1)
listed in Schedule II; and
(2)
a drug to which § 21–220 of the Health – General Article applies.
(b)
A controlled dangerous substance to which subsection (a) of this section applies may be dispensed without a written prescription or an electronic prescription by:
(1)
an authorized provider who:
(i)
is not a pharmacist; and
(ii)
dispenses the controlled dangerous substance directly to an ultimate user; or
(2)
a pharmacist if:
(i)
an emergency exists;
(ii)
the pharmacist dispenses the drug under regulations of the Department on an oral prescription that the pharmacist reduces promptly to writing and keeps on file; and
(iii)
federal law authorizes the oral prescription.
(c)
A prescription for a controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedule II shall be kept on file in conformity with the requirements for records and inventories under § 5–306 of this title.
(d)
A person may not refill a prescription for a controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedule II.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 5-502 (2026)
Title 5. Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescriptions, and Other Substances
Subtitle 5. Prescriptions
§ 5–502LinkCopy Citation
An authorized provider may not dispense methadone, directly or by prescription, unless:
(1)
the authorized provider is associated with a controlled drug therapy program authorized by the Department; or
(2)
an emergency or medical situation exists under regulations that the Department adopts in cooperation with the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 5-503 (2026)
Title 5. Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescriptions, and Other Substances
Subtitle 5. Prescriptions
§ 5–503LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “opium” includes:
(1)
codeine; and
(2)
a natural or synthetic compound, manufactured substance, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of opium.
(b)
(1)
Except on a valid prescription of an authorized prescriber as defined in § 12-101 of the Health Occupations Article, a person may not dispense, give, or sell a preparation containing opium or any of its derivatives.
(2)
This subsection does not apply to:
(i)
a sale made to an authorized provider; or
(ii)
a sale made by a manufacturer, distributor, or licensed pharmacy to a hospital or institution that operates a dispensary in which an authorized provider is in charge.
(c)
(1)
Except on a prescription from an authorized prescriber as defined in § 12-101 of the Health Occupations Article, a person may not possess or control a preparation containing opium or its derivatives.
(2)
A person may possess or control a preparation containing opium or its derivatives if the possession or control is in the regular course of lawful business, occupation, profession, employment, or duty of the person.
(d)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:
(1)
for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $1,000;
(2)
for a second violation, a fine not exceeding $2,000; or
(3)
for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 18 months.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 5-504 (2026)
Title 5. Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescriptions, and Other Substances
Subtitle 5. Prescriptions
§ 5–504LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except when dispensed directly to an ultimate user by an authorized provider who is not a pharmacist, a controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedule III or Schedule IV that is a drug to which § 21–220 of the Health – General Article applies may not be dispensed without a written prescription, an electronic prescription, or an oral prescription.
(b)
Unless renewed by the authorized provider, the prescription may not be:
(1)
filled or refilled more than 6 months after the date of prescription; or
(2)
refilled more than five times.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 5-505 (2026)
Title 5. Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescriptions, and Other Substances
Subtitle 5. Prescriptions
§ 5–505LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedule V may not be distributed or dispensed except for a medical purpose.
(b)
When dispensing the controlled dangerous substance, an authorized provider shall securely affix to the container, in addition to any other label already there, a label with:
(1)
the dispenser’s name, signature, and registry number;
(2)
the date on which the controlled dangerous substance is dispensed; and
(3)
the purchaser’s name.