# Health - General (GHG)

## Title 3. County Boards of Health; Health Officers

### Subtitle 4. Registered Nurses Personally Preparing and Dispensing Drugs and Devices in Local Health Departments

#### Section 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 Sec. 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 Sec. 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.

#### Section 3-402

A registered nurse shall comply with:

(1) The formulary developed and approved under Sec. 3-403(b) of this subtitle; and

(2) The requirements of Sec. 8-512 of the Health Occupations Article.

#### Section 3-403

(a)

  (1) There is a Committee on Registered Nurses Personally Preparing and Dispensing Drugs and Devices in Local Health Departments.

  (2) The Committee consists of the following members:

    (i) A representative of the Department, appointed by the Department;

    (ii) A representative of the State Board of Nursing, appointed by the State Board of Nursing;

    (iii) A representative of the State Board of Pharmacy, appointed by the State Board of Pharmacy;

    (iv) A representative of the State Board of Physicians, appointed by the State Board of Physicians;

    (v) A pharmacist who practices in the State, appointed by the State Board of Pharmacy;

    (vi) A registered nurse who practices in the State, appointed by the State Board of Nursing;

    (vii) A representative of the Office of Controlled Substances Administration, appointed by the Office; and

    (viii) A representative of a local health department, appointed by the Department.

  (3)

    (i) The term of a member is 4 years.

    (ii) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed.

  (4) A member of the Committee:

    (i) May not receive compensation as a member of the Committee; but

    (ii) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

  (5) The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Committee.

  (6) The Department shall provide staff for the Committee.

(b) The Committee shall:

  (1) Develop and approve a formulary for use by registered nurses that includes all nonprescription contraceptive drugs and devices approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use; and

  (2) Annually review the formulary to ensure compliance with current prescribing standards.

#### Section 3-404

A local health department that employs a registered nurse shall be subject to inspection by the Department.

#### Section 3-405

(a) The Department shall establish and administer a training program for registered nurses.

(b) The training program shall be jointly developed and annually reviewed to ensure compliance with current prescribing standards by:

  (1) The Department;

  (2) The State Board of Nursing; and

  (3) The State Board of Pharmacy.

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Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)