<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="20" heading="Format of Prescription Transmission" title_num="10" subtitle_num="34">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope.">
    <text>This chapter applies to the conveyance or transmission of prescription orders from authorized prescribers to pharmacies in the State.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" 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>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Prescription Records.">
    <text>The pharmacy permit holder shall maintain prescription records in a form that:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Is readily and accurately retrievable;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Is maintained for at least 5 years from the date of dispensing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Protects the confidentiality and security of the prescription information.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Controlled Dangerous Substances.">
    <text>Transmission and dispensing of controlled dangerous substances shall be in accordance with applicable State and federal statutes and regulations.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Health Occupations Article, §12-205(a)(3)(ii), Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: December 24, 1990 (17:25 Md. R. 2908)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective December 18, 1995 (22:25 Md. R. 1962)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective December 18, 1995 (22:25 Md. R. 1962)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 adopted effective December 18, 1995 (22:25 Md. R. 1962)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.05, Prescription Orders Submitted by Facsimile Devices, repealed and Regulations .01—.04, Format of Prescription Transmission, adopted effective December 25, 2000 (27:25 Md. R. 2282)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended effective October 4, 2010 (37:20 Md. R. 1394)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective October 4, 2010 (37:20 Md. R. 1394)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective October 4, 2010 (37:20 Md. R. 1394)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective October 4, 2010 (37:20 Md. R. 1394)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>