# COMAR Title 15 — Maryland Department of Agriculture

## Subtitle 14 — Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

### Chapter 01 — Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for the Practice of Veterinary Medicine in the State

#### Regulation .12 Controlled Dangerous Substances.

*COMAR 15.14.01.12*

A. To prescribe or dispense controlled dangerous substances, a veterinarian shall have a current:

  (1) Federal controlled substance registration certificate; and

  (2) Maryland controlled dangerous substance registration.

B. A veterinarian shall ensure that all controlled dangerous substances are maintained, administered, prescribed, dispensed, and destroyed in compliance with all State and federal laws.

C. Schedule II drugs.

  (1) Emergency Dispensing. A Schedule II drug may be dispensed upon oral prescription by a veterinarian if the following conditions are met:

    (a) Immediate administration of the drug is necessary for proper treatment;

    (b) Alternative treatment is not available; and

    (c) It is not possible for the veterinarian to provide a written prescription for the drug at that time.

  (2) If an oral prescription is issued under §C(1) of this regulation, the veterinarian shall:

    (a) Specify the:

      (i) Name of the drug;

      (ii) Dose strength;

      (iii) Quantity;

      (iv) Instructions; and

      (v) Warnings; and

    (b) Prescribe only enough to treat the animal during the emergency period;

    (c) State on the prescription “Authorization for Emergency Dispensing”;

    (d) Within 72 hours, write, sign, and send the prescription to the location that dispensed the drug; and

    (e) Make a note of the issuance of an oral prescription in the animal's record.

  (3) Except as provided in §C(4) of this regulation, a veterinarian shall maintain all Schedule II drugs under lock at all times, with access by veterinarians only.

  (4) A registered veterinary technician may have access to a working stock of Schedule II drugs kept under separate lock.

D. Schedule III—V drugs. A veterinarian shall maintain all Schedule III—V drugs under lock when not in use.

E. Records.

  (1) For all controlled dangerous substances, a veterinarian shall maintain complete and accurate records on the premises indicated by name on the federal controlled substance registration certificate or Maryland controlled dangerous substance registration. A veterinarian may delegate to an authorized employee the daily task of completing these records.

  (2) A veterinarian or authorized employee shall include the following information in the dispensing record:

    (a) Date of dispensation;

    (b) Drug name, strength, and the amount dispensed, administered, or wasted;

    (c) Client and animal identification; and

    (d) Identification of the veterinarian authorizing the administration or dispensing of a drug.

F. Inventory. A veterinarian shall:

  (1) Take inventory on the same date once every 2 years;

  (2) Sign, date, and record the time inventory is taken;

  (3) Maintain records of all Schedule II prescriptions for a period of 5 years, and maintain records of all Schedule III—V prescriptions for a period of 2 years.

G. Disposal. A veterinarian shall destroy all Schedule II—V drugs in accordance with United States Drug Enforcement Agency rules and regulations.