Section 8-508 - Preparation and dispensing of drugs by nurse practitioners(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.Amended by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 368, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2023.Amended by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 367, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2023.Amended by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 135, Sec. 1, eff. 4/12/2022.Amended by 2017 Md. Laws, Ch. 62, Sec. 1, eff. 4/11/2017.