<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 10.34.20.02" title_num="10" subtitle_num="34" chapter_num="20" heading="Requirements for Prescription Validity.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A valid prescription shall be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Valid in the professional judgment of the pharmacist responsible for filling the prescription; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Conveyed:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>In a manner that contains the handwritten, pen-to-paper signature of the prescriber;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>In a manner that is transmitted to the pharmacy electronically, provided that the prescription is:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Transmitted via electronic intermediaries that are certified by the Maryland Health Care Commission;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Received by the permit holder’s computer, facsimile machine, or other electronic device; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Maintained by the permit holder in accordance with Regulation .03 of this chapter; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>In an oral manner where:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Only a pharmacist may take an original oral prescription by a voice messaging system or by phone with the pharmacist reading back the prescription to the prescriber or the prescriber’s agent; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The pharmacist promptly reduces the oral prescription to writing.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The requirement of §A(2)(b)(i) of this regulation does not apply to prescriptions transmitted electronically within:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A closed system of a group model health maintenance organization as defined in Health-General Article, §19-713.6, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Any other closed system that does not utilize an intermediary for transmission of prescriptions.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>