3604

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 881

by the latest edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia,
or prepared according to the private formula of some
individual or firm, other or different from the
prescription drug, controlled dangerous substances,
medicine, chemical or preparation, ordered or called for
by such person, or called for in a physician's OR OTHER
AUTHORIZED PRESCRIBERS' prescription, EXCEPT AS
AUTHORIZED UNDER SECTION 273A OF ARTICLE 43, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof
shall be punished by a fine of not less than [one hundred
dollars] $100 nor more than [five hundred dollars] $500,
or by not less than one month nor more than [twelve] 12
months' imprisonment, or by both, and any person so
convicted shall forfeit the right to practice pharmacy
under any certificate or registration issued under the
laws of this State,

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Sections
42(a), 254A, 273A(b) and 273A(c) of Article 43 - Health,
of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement
Volume and 1974 Supplement) be and they are hereby
repealed and re—enacted, with amendments, to read as
follows:

Article 43 - Health

42.

(a) The State Board of Health and Mental Hygiene
shall (1) administer a program of comprehensive medical
and other care in the State of Maryland for indigent and
medically indigent persons, or either of [such] THOSE
classes; for this purpose the Board of Health and Mental
Hygiene is hereby authorized to contract with insurance
companies, nonprofit health service plans, or with
individuals, associations, partnerships, incorporated or
unincorporated groups of physicians , dentists,
podiatrists, optometrists (as defined in § 372 of this
article), pharmacists, hospitals, nursing homes, nurses,
opticians, and other health practitioners duly licensed
or certified in this State who perform services upon the
prescription or referral of a physician, for the
provision of care for eligible persons; contracts entered
into by the Board shall be for a one—year period and may
be renewed; within the provisions of the budget the said
Board is hereby authorized to provide bedside nursing
care for eligible persons. (2) The Board of Health and
Mental Hygiene shall conduct and operate [such] hospitals
[as may be] established by law and placed under the
jurisdiction of the [said] Board of Health and Mental
Hygiene for the care of persons suffering from chronic
diseases.