32-1491. Dispensing of drugs and devices; exception; civil penalty; conditions; definition

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, a doctor of medicine may dispense drugs and devices kept by the doctor if:

1. All drugs are dispensed in packages labeled with the following information:

(a) The dispensing doctor's name, address and telephone number.

(b) The date the drug is dispensed.

(c) The patient's name.

(d) The name and strength of the drug, directions for its use and any cautionary statements.

2. The dispensing doctor enters into the patient's medical record the name and strength of the drug dispensed, the date the drug is dispensed and the therapeutic reason.

3. The dispensing doctor keeps all drugs in a locked cabinet or room, controls access to the cabinet or room by a written procedure and maintains an ongoing inventory of its contents.

4. The doctor registers with the board to dispense drugs and devices and pays the registration fee prescribed by section 32-1436.

B. A doctor of medicine may not dispense a schedule II controlled substance that is an opioid, except for an implantable device or an opioid that is for medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.

C. Except in an emergency situation, a doctor who dispenses drugs without being registered by the board to do so is subject to a civil penalty by the board of not less than three hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars for each transaction and is prohibited from further dispensing for a period of time as prescribed by the board.

D. Before a physician dispenses a drug pursuant to this section, the physician shall give the patient a prescription and inform the patient that the prescription may be filled by the prescribing physician or by a pharmacy of the patient's choice.

E. A doctor shall dispense only to the doctor's own patient and only for conditions being treated by that doctor. The doctor shall provide direct supervision of a medical assistant, nurse or attendant involved in the dispensing process. For the purposes of this subsection, " direct supervision" means that a doctor is present and makes the determination as to the legitimacy or the advisability of the drugs or devices to be dispensed.

F. This section shall be enforced by the board, which shall establish rules regarding labeling, recordkeeping, storage and packaging of drugs that are consistent with the requirements of chapter 18 of this title. The board may conduct periodic reviews of dispensing practices to ensure compliance with this section and applicable rules.

G. For the purposes of this section, " dispense" means the delivery by a doctor of medicine of a prescription drug or device to a patient, except for samples packaged for individual use by licensed manufacturers or repackagers of drugs, and includes the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling and security necessary to prepare and safeguard the drug or device for delivery.