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: listed in Schedule II; and a drug to which § 21–220 of the Health – General Article applies. A controlled dangerous substance to which subsection (a) of this section applies may be dispensed without a written prescription or an electronic prescription by: an authorized provider who: is not a pharmacist; and dispenses the controlled dangerous substance directly to an ultimate user; or a pharmacist if: an emergency exists; 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 federal law authorizes the oral prescription. 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. A person may not refill a prescription for a controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedule II.

An authorized provider may not dispense methadone, directly or by prescription, unless: the authorized provider is associated with a controlled drug therapy program authorized by the Department; or an emergency or medical situation exists under regulations that the Department adopts in cooperation with the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland.

In this section, “opium” includes: codeine; and a natural or synthetic compound, manufactured substance, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of opium. 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. This subsection does not apply to: a sale made to an authorized provider; or 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. 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. 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. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to: for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $1,000; for a second violation, a fine not exceeding $2,000; or for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 18 months.

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. Unless renewed by the authorized provider, the prescription may not be: filled or refilled more than 6 months after the date of prescription; or refilled more than five times.

A controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedule V may not be distributed or dispensed except for a medical purpose. 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: the dispenser’s name, signature, and registry number; the date on which the controlled dangerous substance is dispensed; and the purchaser’s name.