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PUBLIC LAWS OF MAINE
First Regular Session of the 121st

CHAPTER 326
H.P. 1151 - L.D. 1578

An Act To Make Filling Out-of-State Prescriptions for Schedule II Drugs More Convenient

     Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

     Whereas, prescriptions for schedule II drugs issued by health care providers must be written on security prescription blanks; and

     Whereas, some prescriptions for schedule II drugs are prescribed by health care providers from other states; and

     Whereas, to allow patients to continue to receive their prescriptions for schedule II drugs prescribed by out-of-state health care providers this legislation must take effect immediately; and

     Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

     Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §13786-A, sub-§§2 to 4 are enacted to read:

     2. Out-of-state prescription security requirements. Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, a prescription for a schedule II drug written by an out-of-state practitioner on a prescription blank that does not comply with the requirements for a security prescription blank, as defined in the Department of Public Safety rule pursuant to subsection 1, may be filled by a pharmacist only if:

     3. Valid photographic identification. For the purposes of subsection 2, a valid photographic identification is limited to the following:

     4. Partial filling of out-of-state prescriptions. The partial filling of a prescription for a schedule II drug written by an out-of-state practitioner on a prescription blank that does not comply with the requirements for a security prescription blank, as defined in the Department of Public Safety rule pursuant to subsection 1, is permissible if the pharmacist is unable after reasonable effort to obtain the oral confirmation described in subsection 2 in the case of the practitioner's office being closed during nights, weekends or holidays. The partial filling is limited to a 72-hour supply of the controlled substance. The remaining portion of the prescription may be filled within the 72-hour period upon obtaining the oral confirmation. No further quantity may be filled beyond the 72 hours without a new prescription.

     Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

Effective May 27, 2003.

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