§ 8–508
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
“Midwife” means a registered nurse certified as a nurse–midwife or a licensed certified midwife.
(3)
“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 Board.
(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.
(5)
“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.
(b)
A nurse practitioner or midwife may personally prepare and dispense a starter dosage of any drug the nurse practitioner or midwife is authorized to prescribe to a patient of the nurse practitioner or midwife 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 or midwife 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.