Sec 32-1967. Acts constituting misbranding of a drug or device; exceptions; interpretation of misleading label; definition

A. A drug or device is misbranded:

1. If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular.

2. If in package form unless it bears a label containing both:

(a) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor.

(b) An accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure or numerical count.

3. If any word, statement or other information required by or under authority of this chapter to appear on the label or labeling is not prominently placed on the label or labeling. Compliance with the federal act shall be deemed compliance with this chapter except for compliance with paragraph 16 of this subsection.

4. If it is for use by humans and contains any quantity of the narcotic or hypnotic substance alpha-eucaine, barbituric acid, beta-eucaine, bromal, cannabis, carbromal, chloral, coca, cocaine, codeine, heroin, marijuana, morphine, opium, paraldehyde, peyote or sulfonmethane, or any chemical derivative of such substance, which derivative or other substance has been found to be habit-forming, unless its label bears the name and quantity or proportion of such substance or derivative.

5. If it is a drug unless its label bears, to the exclusion of any other nonproprietary name, both:

(a) The established name of the drug, if there is an established name.

(b) In case it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the established name and quantity of each active ingredient, including the kind and quantity or proportion of any alcohol, and also including, whether active or not, the established name and quantity or proportion of any bromides, ether, chloroform, atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine, arsenic, digitalis, digitalis glycosides, mercury, strychnine or thyroid, or derivative or preparation of any such substances, provided that the requirements for stating the quantity of the active ingredients, other than those specifically named in this subdivision, apply only to prescription drugs.

6. Unless its labeling bears both:

(a) Adequate directions for use.

(b) Adequate warnings against use in those pathological conditions or by children where its use may be dangerous to health, or against unsafe dosage or methods or duration of administration or application, in a manner and form as are necessary for the protection of users.

7. If it is recognized in an official compendium, unless it is packed and labeled as prescribed in such compendium, provided that the method of packing may be modified with the consent of the board.

8. If it has been found by the board to be a drug or device liable to deterioration, unless it is packaged in that form and manner, and its label bears a statement of such precautions, as the rules issued by the board require as necessary for the protection of public health.

9. If its container is so made, formed or filled as to be misleading.

10. If it is an imitation of another drug or device.

11. If it is offered for sale under the name of another drug or device.

12. If it is dangerous to health when used in the dosage or manner or with the frequency or duration prescribed, recommended or suggested in the labeling of the drug or device.

13. If it is a color additive, the intended use of which in or on drugs or devices is for the purpose of coloring only, unless its packaging and labeling are in conformity with such packaging and labeling requirements applicable to such color additive in the federal act or board rule.

14. In the case of any prescription-only drug or controlled substance distributed or offered for sale in this state, unless the manufacturer, packer or distributor of such drug or substance includes in all advertisements and other printed matter with respect to that drug a true statement of:

(a) The established name.

(b) The formula showing quantitatively each ingredient.

(c) Other information in brief summary relating to side effects, contraindications or effectiveness as required in board rules or the federal act.

15. If a trademark, trade name or other identifying mark, imprint or device of another drug or device or any likeness of another drug or device has been placed on the drug or device or on its container with intent to defraud.

16. In the case of any prescription-only drug or controlled substance if in final dosage form unless it bears a label containing both:

(a) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, and if different, the packer or distributor.

(b) An accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure or numerical count.

17. In the case of any foreign dangerous drug, if it is not approved by the United States food and drug administration or is obtained outside of the licensed supply chain regulated by the United States food and drug administration, the board or the department of health services. This paragraph does not apply to a foreign dangerous drug that is authorized for use by a state law or that is imported lawfully under the food, drug and cosmetic act (21 United States Code section 301, et seq.) or pursuant to an announcement by the United States food and drug administration of the exercise of enforcement discretion for instances, including clinical research purposes, drug shortages, development of countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism agents, or pandemic influenza preparedness and response.

B. Drugs and devices that are to be processed, labeled or repacked at establishments other than those where originally processed or packed are exempt from any labeling or packaging requirements of this chapter, provided that such drugs and devices are being delivered, manufactured, processed, labeled, repacked or otherwise held in compliance with board rules or under the federal act.

C. If an article is alleged to be misbranded because the labeling is misleading, then in determining whether the labeling is misleading there shall be taken into account, among other things, not only representations made or suggested by statement, word, design, device or any combination of them, but also the extent to which the labeling fails to reveal facts material in the light of such representations, or material with respect to consequences which may result from the use of the article to which the labeling relates under the conditions of use prescribed in the labeling or under such conditions of use as are customary or usual.

D. A drug or device is not considered misbranded if it is either of the following:

1. Intended for the use in pharmaceutical compounding by a licensed pharmacist, physician, drug manufacturer or distributor or registered outsourcing facility in compliance with the requirements of chapter 18 of this title and the food, drug and cosmetic act (21 United States Code section 321a and 321b).

2. Mislabeled or incorrectly filled because of a filling error by a pharmacy or a pharmacist.

E. This section does not apply to any drug or device, whether or not approved by the United States food and drug administration, that is manufactured, packed or distributed for use in pharmaceutical compounding by a licensed pharmacist, physician, drug manufacturer or distributor or registered outsourcing facility in compliance with the requirements of chapter 18 of this title, and the food, drug and cosmetic act (21 United States Code section 321a and 321b).

F. For the purposes of this section, "dangerous drug" means any drug that is unsafe for self-use in humans or animals and includes:

1. Any drug that bears the legend: "Caution: federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription", "Rx only", or words of similar import.

2. Any device that bears the statement: "Caution: federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a ____", "Rx only", or words of similar import, the blank to be filled in with the designation of the practitioner licensed to use or order use of the device.

3. Any other drug or device that by federal or state law can be lawfully dispensed only on prescription.