Sec 32-871. Dispensing of drugs and devices; conditions; definition

A. A podiatrist may dispense drugs and devices kept by the podiatrist if:

1. All drugs are dispensed in packages labeled with the following information:

(a) The dispensing podiatrist's name, address and telephone number.

(b) The date the drug is dispensed.

(c) The patient's name.

(d) The name and strength of the drug, directions for its use and any cautionary statements.

2. The dispensing podiatrist enters into the patient's medical record the name and strength of the drug dispensed, the date the drug is dispensed and the therapeutic reason.

3. The dispensing podiatrist keeps all drugs in a locked 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 situation, a podiatrist who dispenses drugs for a profit without being registered by the board to do so 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 is prohibited from further dispensing for a period of time as prescribed by the board.

C. Prior to dispensing a drug pursuant to this section the patient shall be given a written prescription on which appears the following statement in bold type:

"This prescription may be filled by the prescribing podiatrist or by a pharmacy of your choice."

D. A podiatrist shall dispense for profit only to his own patient and only for conditions being treated by that podiatrist. The podiatrist shall provide direct supervision of a nurse or attendant involved in the dispensing process. In this subsection, "direct supervision" means that a podiatrist is present and makes the determination as to the legitimacy or the advisability of the drugs or devices to be dispensed.

E. This section shall be enforced by the board which shall establish rules regarding labeling, record keeping, storage and packaging of drugs 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. For the purposes of this section, "dispense" means the delivery by a podiatrist of a prescription drug or device to a patient, except for samples packaged for individual use by licensed manufacturers or repackagers of drugs, and includes the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling and security necessary to prepare and safeguard the drug or device for delivery.