ID H0006

Prescription drug orders for legend drugs are valid only if issued by a prescriber for a legitimate medical purpose arising from a documented prescriber-patient relationship, with specific exceptions for hospitalized patients, on-call situations, collaborative practice, emergency conditions, and sexually transmitted disease treatment.

Treatment based solely on online questionnaires or consultations outside an ongoing clinical relationship does not constitute a legitimate medical purpose.

Defines unlawful acts including knowingly issuing or dispensing invalid prescription drug orders and prescribing drugs to individuals without a prescriber-patient relationship outside the specified exceptions; violations constitute unprofessional conduct subject to disciplinary action.

Creates new Section 54-1733A authorizing prescription drug orders to be transmitted by delivery of original written order, electronic transmission, verbal communication, or facsimile, with specific requirements for each method.

Permits prescriber's agents to sign and return refill requests via facsimile when the request is generated by the pharmacy, is for current medications with no changes to drug type or strength, and transmission originates from the prescriber's office.