Sec. 15.14.01.12. Controlled Dangerous Substances

A. To prescribe or dispense controlled dangerous substances, a veterinarian shall have a current:

(1) Federal controlled substance registration certificate; and

(2) Maryland controlled dangerous substance registration.

B. A veterinarian shall ensure that all controlled dangerous substances are maintained, administered, prescribed, dispensed, and destroyed in compliance with all State and federal laws.

C. Schedule II drugs.

(1) Emergency Dispensing. A Schedule II drug may be dispensed upon oral prescription by a veterinarian if the following conditions are met:

(a) Immediate administration of the drug is necessary for proper treatment;

(b) Alternative treatment is not available; and

(c) It is not possible for the veterinarian to provide a written prescription for the drug at that time.

(2) If an oral prescription is issued under §C(1) of this regulation, the veterinarian shall:

(a) Specify the:

(i) Name of the drug;

(ii) Dose strength;

(iii) Quantity;

(iv) Instructions; and

(v) Warnings; and

(b) Prescribe only enough to treat the animal during the emergency period;

(c) State on the prescription "Authorization for Emergency Dispensing";

(d) Within 72 hours, write, sign, and send the prescription to the location that dispensed the drug; and

(e) Make a note of the issuance of an oral prescription in the animal's record.

(3) Except as provided in §C(4) of this regulation, a veterinarian shall maintain all Schedule II drugs under lock at all times, with access by veterinarians only.

(4) A registered veterinary technician may have access to a working stock of Schedule II drugs kept under separate lock.

D. Schedule III-V drugs. A veterinarian shall maintain all Schedule III-V drugs under lock when not in use.

E. Records.

(1) For all controlled dangerous substances, a veterinarian shall maintain complete and accurate records on the premises indicated by name on the federal controlled substance registration certificate or Maryland controlled dangerous substance registration. A veterinarian may delegate to an authorized employee the daily task of completing these records.

(2) A veterinarian or authorized employee shall include the following information in the dispensing record:

(a) Date of dispensation;

(b) Drug name, strength, and the amount dispensed, administered, or wasted;

(c) Client and animal identification; and

(d) Identification of the veterinarian authorizing the administration or dispensing of a drug.

F. Inventory. A veterinarian shall:

(1) Take inventory on the same date once every 2 years;

(2) Sign, date, and record the time inventory is taken;

(3) Maintain records of all Schedule II prescriptions for a period of 5 years, and maintain records of all Schedule III-V prescriptions for a period of 2 years.

G. Disposal. A veterinarian shall destroy all Schedule II-V drugs in accordance with United States Drug Enforcement Agency rules and regulations.