Sec. 10.34.10.01. Patient Safety and Welfare

A. A pharmacist shall:

(1) Abide by all federal and State laws relating to the practice of pharmacy and the dispensing, distribution, storage, and labeling of drugs and devices, including but not limited to:

(a) United States Code, Title 21,

(b) Health-General Article, Titles 21 and 22, Annotated Code of Maryland,

(c) Health Occupations Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland,

(d) Criminal Law Article, Title 5, Annotated Code of Maryland, and

(e) COMAR 10.19.03;

(2) Verify the accuracy of the prescription before dispensing the drug or device if the pharmacist has reason to believe that the prescription contains an error; and

(3) Maintain proper sanitation, hygiene, biohazard precautions, and infection control when performing tasks in the prescription process.

B. A pharmacist may not:

(1) Engage in conduct which departs from the standard of care ordinarily exercised by a pharmacist;

(2) Practice pharmacy under circumstances or conditions which prevent the proper exercise of professional judgment; or

(3) Engage in unprofessional conduct.

C. Therapeutic Interchange.

(1) A pharmacist may not perform a therapeutic interchange without the prior approval of the authorized prescriber except as provided in §C(2) of this regulation.

(2) A pharmacist who provides a pharmacy service to a patient of a hospital, as defined in Health-General Article, §19-301, Annotated Code of Maryland, or a resident of a comprehensive care or extended care facility, as defined in COMAR 10.07.02.01B, may perform a therapeutic interchange without the prior approval of the authorized prescriber if the governing body of the hospital, comprehensive care facility, or extended care facility has established procedures for therapeutic interchange.

(3) This section does not permit any act not otherwise authorized by Health Occupations Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland.