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<section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="12-507" title_number="12" title_name="Pharmacists and Pharmacies" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Practice of Pharmacy and Operation of Pharmacies">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A pharmacist who provides prescription services to medical assistance recipients shall offer to discuss with each medical assistance recipient or caregiver who presents a prescription order for outpatient drugs any matter which, in the exercise of the pharmacist’s professional judgment, the pharmacist deems significant, which may include the following:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The name and description of the medication;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The route, dosage form, dosage, route of administration, and duration of drug therapy;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Special directions and precautions for preparation, administration, and use by the patient;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Common severe side or adverse effects or interactions and therapeutic contraindications that may be encountered, including their avoidance, and the action required if they occur;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Techniques for self-monitoring drug therapy;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Proper storage;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Prescription refill information; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Action to be taken in the event of a missed dose.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The offer to discuss may be made in the manner determined by the professional judgment of the pharmacist, which shall include either:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A face-to-face communication with the pharmacist; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>At least 2 of the following:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A sign posted so it can be seen by patients;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A notation affixed to or written on the bag in which the prescription is to be dispensed;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>A notation contained on the prescription container; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Communication by telephone.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a pharmacist to provide consultation if the medical assistance recipient or caregiver refuses the consultation.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>A pharmacist must make a reasonable effort to obtain, record, and maintain, at the individual pharmacy, at least the following information regarding a medical assistance recipient:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Name, address, telephone number, date of birth or age, and gender;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Individual history when significant, including disease state or states, known allergies and drug reactions, and a comprehensive list of medications and relevant devices; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Pharmacist comments relevant to the individual’s drug therapy which may be recorded either manually or electronically in the patient’s profile.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>This section shall apply only to medical assistance recipients presenting prescriptions for covered outpatient drugs.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>The requirements of this section do not apply to refill prescriptions.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>The Secretary, after consultation with the Maryland Pharmacists Association and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores, shall adopt regulations in accordance with pharmacy practices in Maryland to implement the provisions of this section.</text>
  </level>
</section>
