Sec 32-1581. Dispensing of natural substances, drugs and devices; conditions; civil penalty; dispensing minerals; definitions

A. A doctor of naturopathic medicine may dispense a natural substance, drug or device to a patient for a condition being diagnosed or treated by the doctor if:

1. The doctor is certified to dispense by the board and the certificate has not been suspended or revoked by the board.

2. The natural substance, drug or device is dispensed and properly labeled with the following dispenser information:

(a) The dispensing doctor's name, address and telephone number and a prescription number or other method of identifying the prescription.

(b) The date the natural substance, drug or device is dispensed.

(c) The patient's name.

(d) The name and strength of the natural substance, drug or device, directions for proper and appropriate use and any cautionary statements for the natural substance, drug or device. If a generic drug is dispensed the manufacturer's name must be included.

3. The dispensing doctor enters into the patient's medical record the name and strength of the natural substance, drug or device dispensed, the date the natural substance, drug or device is dispensed and the therapeutic reason.

4. The dispensing doctor keeps all prescription-only drugs, controlled substances and prescription-only devices in a secured cabinet or room, controls access to the cabinet or room by a written procedure and maintains an ongoing inventory of its contents.

B. Except in an emergency, a doctor of naturopathic medicine who dispenses a natural substance, drug or device without being certified to dispense by the board 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 may be prohibited from further dispensing for a period of time as determined by the board.

C. Before dispensing a natural substance, drug or device pursuant to this section, the treating doctor shall give the patient or the patient's legal guardian a written prescription and must inform the patient or the patient's legal guardian that the prescription may be filled by the prescribing doctor or the pharmacy of the patient's choice. If the patient chooses to have the medication dispensed by the doctor, the doctor must retrieve the written prescription and place it in a prescription file kept by the doctor.

D. A doctor of naturopathic medicine shall provide direct supervision of a nurse or attendant involved in the dispensing process. For the purposes of this subsection, "direct supervision" means that a doctor of naturopathic medicine is present and makes the determination as to the necessary use or the advisability of the natural substance, drug or device to be dispensed.

E. The board shall enforce this section. The board shall adopt rules regarding the dispensing of a natural substance, drug or device including the labeling, record keeping, storage and packaging of natural substances that are consistent with the requirements of chapter 18 of this title. The board may conduct periodic inspections of dispensing practices to assure compliance with this section and applicable rules.

F. This section does not prevent a licensed practical or professional nurse employed by a doctor of naturopathic medicine from assisting in the delivery of natural substances, drugs and devices in accordance with this chapter.

G. Before prescribing or dispensing a mineral to a patient, the treating physician shall perform necessary clinical examinations and laboratory tests to prevent toxicity due to the excessive intake of magnesium, calcium and other minerals. The board shall adopt rules necessary for the safe administration of minerals. These rules shall require prior certification of a physician who prescribes or dispenses minerals to a patient.

H. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Device" means an appliance, apparatus or instrument administered or dispensed to a patient by a doctor of naturopathic medicine.

2. "Dispense" means the delivery by a doctor of naturopathic medicine of a natural substance, drug or device to a patient and only for a condition being diagnosed or treated by that doctor, except for free samples packaged for individual use by licensed manufacturers or repackagers, and includes the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling and security necessary to prepare and safeguard the natural substance, drug or device for delivery to the treating doctor's own patient.