WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(2)  "IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST" MEANS THE DISPENSING OF
DRUGS BY A LICENSED DENTIST, PHYSICIAN, OR PODIATRIST TO A
PATIENT WHEN A PHARMACY IS NOT CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE
PATIENT.

(3)  "PERSONALLY PREPARING AND DISPENSING" MEANS THAT
THE LICENSED DENTIST, PHYSICIAN, OR PODIATRIST:

(I) IS PHYSICALLY PRESENT ON THE PREMISES WHERE
THE PRESCRIPTION IS FILLED; AND

(II) WITNESSES THE PREPARATION OF THE

PRESCRIPTION; AND

(III) (II) PERFORMS A FINAL CHECK OF THE
PRESCRIPTION BEFORE IT IS PROVIDED TO THE PATIENT.

[(a)] (B) This title does not limit the right of an
individual to practice a health occupation that the individual is
authorized to practice under this article.

[(b)] (C) This title does not prohibit:

(1)  A licensed veterinarian from personally preparing
and dispensing the veterinarian's prescriptions;

(2)  A licensed dentist, physician, or podiatrist from
personally preparing and dispensing the dentist's, physician's,
or podiatrist's prescriptions when:

(i) The dentist, physician, or podiatrist:

1.  Has applied to the board of licensure
in this State which licensed the dentist, physician, or
podiatrist;

2.  Has demonstrated to the satisfaction
of that board that the dispensing of prescription drugs by the
dentist, physician, or podiatrist is in the public interest; and

3.  Has received [the written approval of]
A WRITTEN PERMIT FROM that board to dispense prescription drugs,
EXCEPT THAT A WRITTEN PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DISPENSE
STARTER DOSAGES OR SAMPLES WITHOUT CHARGE;

(ii) The person for whom the drugs are
prescribed is a patient of the prescribing dentist, physician, or
podiatrist;

- 4979 -