Article 4 - Requirements for Prescriptions

California Business and Professions Code — §§ 4070-4079

Sections (16)

Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 293, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.

(a)Except as provided in Section 4019 and subdivision (b), an oral or an electronic data transmission prescription as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 4040 shall as soon as practicable be reduced to writing by the pharmacist and shall be filled by, or under the direction of, the pharmacist. The pharmacist need not reduce to writing the address, telephone number, license classification, federal registry number of the prescriber or the address of the patient or patients if the information is readily retrievable in the pharmacy.

(b)A pharmacy receiving an electronic transmission prescription shall not be required to reduce that prescription to writing or to hard copy form if, for three years from the last date of furnishing pursuant to that prescription or order, the pharmacy is able, upon request by the board, to immediately produce a hard copy report that includes for each date of dispensing of a dangerous drug or dangerous device pursuant to that prescription or order:

(1)all of the information described in subparagraphs (A) to (E), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4040, and (2) the name or identifier of the pharmacist who dispensed the dangerous drug or dangerous device. This subdivision shall not apply to prescriptions for controlled substances classified in Schedule II, III, IV, or V, except as permitted pursuant to Section 11164.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(c)If only recorded and stored electronically, on magnetic media, or in any other computerized form, the pharmacy’s computer system shall not permit the received information or the dangerous drug or dangerous device dispensing information required by this section to be changed, obliterated, destroyed, or disposed of, for the record maintenance period required by law once the information has been received by the pharmacy and once the dangerous drug or dangerous device has been dispensed. Once a dangerous drug or dangerous device has been dispensed, if the previously created record is determined to be incorrect, a correcting addition may be made only by or with the approval of a pharmacist. After a pharmacist enters the change or enters his or her approval of the change into the computer, the resulting record shall include the correcting addition and the date it was made to the record, the identity of the person or pharmacist making the correction, and the identity of the pharmacist approving the correction.

(d)Nothing in this section shall impair the requirement to have an electronically transmitted prescription transmitted only to the pharmacy of the patient’s choice or to have a written prescription. This requirement shall not apply to orders for medications to be administered in an acute care hospital.

§ 4071

Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 46. Effective January 1, 1998.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a prescriber may authorize his or her agent on his or her behalf to orally or electronically transmit a prescription to the furnisher. The furnisher shall make a reasonable effort to determine that the person who transmits the prescription is authorized to do so and shall record the name of the authorized agent of the prescriber who transmits the order.

This section shall not apply to orders for Schedule II controlled substances.

§ 4071.1

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 141, Sec. 1. (AB 1557) Effective September 1, 2023.

(a)A prescriber, a prescriber’s authorized agent, or a pharmacist may electronically enter a prescription or an order, as defined in Section 4019, into a pharmacy’s or hospital’s computer from any location outside of the pharmacy or hospital with the permission of the pharmacy or hospital. For purposes of this section, a “prescriber’s authorized agent” is a person licensed or registered under Division 2 (commencing with Section 500).

(b)This section does not reduce the existing authority of other hospital personnel to enter medication orders or prescription orders into a hospital’s computer.

(c)A dangerous drug or dangerous device shall not be dispensed pursuant to a prescription that has been electronically entered into a pharmacy’s computer without the prior approval of a pharmacist.

(d)(1) A pharmacist located and licensed in the state may, on behalf of a health care facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, from a location outside of the facility, verify medication chart orders for appropriateness before administration consistent with federal requirements, as established in the health care facility’s policies and procedures.

(2)(A) A health care facility shall maintain a record of a pharmacist’s verification of medication chart orders

pursuant to this subdivision.

(B)A record maintained pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall meet the same requirements as those described in Sections 4081 and 4105.

§ 4072

Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 653, Sec. 25. (SB 1489) Effective January 1, 2011.

(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a pharmacist, registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, licensed psychiatric technician, or other healing arts licentiate, if so authorized by administrative regulation, who is employed by or serves as a consultant for a licensed skilled nursing, intermediate care, or other health care facility, may orally or electronically transmit to the furnisher a prescription lawfully ordered by a person authorized to prescribe drugs or devices pursuant to Sections 4040 and 4070. The furnisher shall take appropriate steps to determine that the person who transmits the prescription is authorized to do so and shall record the name of the person who transmits the order. This section shall not apply to orders for

Schedule II controlled substances.

(b)In enacting this section, the Legislature recognizes and affirms the role of the State Department of Public Health in regulating drug order processing requirements for licensed health care facilities as set forth in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations as they may be amended from time to time.

§ 4073

Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 659, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2007.

(a)A pharmacist filling a prescription order for a drug product prescribed by its trade or brand name may select another drug product with the same active chemical ingredients of the same strength, quantity, and dosage form, and of the same generic drug name as determined by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) and accepted by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), of those drug products having the same active chemical ingredients.

(b)In no case shall a selection be made pursuant to this section if the prescriber personally indicates, either orally or in his or her own handwriting, “Do not substitute,” or words of similar meaning. Nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit a prescriber from checking a box on a prescription marked “Do not substitute”; provided that the prescriber personally initials the box or checkmark. To indicate that a selection shall not be made pursuant to this section for an electronic data transmission prescription as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 4040, a prescriber may indicate “Do not substitute,” or words of similar meaning, in the prescription as transmitted by electronic data, or may check a box marked on the prescription “Do not substitute.” In either instance, it shall not be required that the prohibition on substitution be manually initialed by the prescriber.

(c)Selection pursuant to this section is within the discretion of the pharmacist, except as provided in subdivision (b). The person who selects the drug product to be dispensed pursuant to this section shall assume the same responsibility for selecting the dispensed drug product as would be incurred in filling a prescription for a drug product prescribed by generic name. There shall be no liability on the prescriber for an act or omission by a pharmacist in selecting, preparing, or dispensing a drug product pursuant to this section. In no case shall the pharmacist select a drug product pursuant to this section unless the drug product selected costs the patient less than the prescribed drug product. Cost, as used in this subdivision, is defined to include any professional fee that may be charged by the pharmacist.

(d)This section shall apply to all prescriptions, including those presented by or on behalf of persons receiving assistance from the federal government or pursuant to the California Medical Assistance Program set forth in Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(e)When a substitution is made pursuant to this section, the use of the cost-saving drug product dispensed shall be communicated to the patient and the name of the dispensed drug product shall be indicated on the prescription label, except where the prescriber orders otherwise.

§ 4073.5

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 545, Sec. 1. (SB 671) Effective January 1, 2016.

(a)A pharmacist filling a prescription order for a prescribed biological product may select an alternative biological product only if all of the following:

(1)The alternative biological product is interchangeable.

(2)The prescriber does not personally indicate “Do not substitute,” or words of similar meaning, in the manner provided in subdivision (d).

(b)Within five days following the dispensing of a biological product, a dispensing pharmacist or the pharmacists’ designee shall make an entry of the specific biological product provided to the

patient, including the name of the biological product and the manufacturer. The communication shall be conveyed by making an entry that can be electronically accessed by the prescriber through one or more of the following electronic records systems:

(1)An interoperable electronic medical records system.

(2)An electronic prescribing

technology.

(3)A pharmacy benefit management system.

(4)A pharmacy record.

(c)Entry into an electronic records system as described in subdivision (b) is presumed to provide notice to the prescriber.

(d)If the

pharmacy does not have access to one or more of the entry systems in subdivision (b), the pharmacist or the pharmacist’s designee shall communicate the name of the biological product dispensed to the prescriber using facsimile, telephone, electronic transmission, or other prevailing means, except that communication shall not be required in this instance to the prescriber when either of the following apply:

(1)There is no interchangeable biological product approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the product prescribed.

(2)A refill prescription is not changed from the product dispensed on the prior filling of the prescription.

(e)In no case shall a selection be made pursuant to this section if the prescriber personally indicates, either orally or in his or her own handwriting, “Do not substitute,” or words of similar meaning.

(1)This subdivision shall not prohibit a prescriber from checking a box on a prescription marked “Do not substitute,” provided that the prescriber personally initials the box or checkmark.

(2)To indicate that a selection shall not be made pursuant to this section for an electronic data transmission prescription, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 4040, a prescriber may indicate “Do not substitute,” or words of similar meaning, in

the prescription as transmitted by electronic data, or may check a box marked on the prescription “Do not substitute.” In either instance, it shall not be required that the prohibition on substitution be manually initialed by the prescriber.

(f)Selection pursuant to this section is within the discretion of the pharmacist, except as provided in subdivision

(e). A pharmacist who selects an alternative biological product to be dispensed pursuant to this section shall assume the same responsibility for substituting the biological product as would be incurred in filling a prescription for a biological product prescribed by name. There shall be no liability on the prescriber for an act or omission by a pharmacist in selecting, preparing, or dispensing a biological product pursuant to this section. In no case shall the pharmacist select a biological product that meets the requirements of subdivision (a) unless the cost to the patient of the biological product selected is the same or less than the cost of the prescribed biological product. Cost, as used in this subdivision, includes any professional fee that may be charged by the pharmacist.

(g)This section shall apply to all prescriptions, including those presented by or on behalf of persons receiving assistance from the federal government or pursuant to the Medi-Cal Act set forth in Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(h)When a selection is made pursuant to this section, the substitution of a biological product shall be communicated to the patient.

(i)The board shall maintain on its public Internet Web site a link to the current list, if available, of biological products determined by the federal Food and Drug Administration to be interchangeable.

(j)For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1)“Biological product” has the same meaning that applies to that term under

Section 351 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 262(i)).

(2)“Interchangeable” means a biological product that the federal Food and Drug Administration has determined meets the standards set forth in Section

262(k)(4) of Title 42 of the United States Code, or has been deemed therapeutically equivalent by the federal Food and Drug Administration as set forth in the latest addition or supplement of the Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.

(3)“Prescription,” with respect to a biological product, means a prescription for a product that is subject to Section 503(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 353(b)).

(k)This section shall not prohibit the

administration of immunizations, as permitted in Sections 4052 and 4052.8.

(l)This section shall not prohibit a disability insurer or health care service plan from requiring prior authorization or imposing other appropriate utilization controls in approving coverage for any biological product.

§ 4074

Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 304, Sec. 1. (AB 1136) Effective January 1, 2014.

(a)A pharmacist shall inform a patient orally or in writing of the harmful effects of a drug dispensed by prescription if both of the following apply:

(1)The drug poses substantial risk to the person consuming the drug when taken in combination with alcohol or the drug may impair a person’s ability to drive a motor vehicle, whichever is applicable.

(2)The drug is determined by the board pursuant to subdivision (c) to be a drug or drug type for which this warning shall be given.

(b)In

addition to the requirement described in subdivision (a), on and after July 1, 2014, if a pharmacist exercising his or her professional judgment determines that a drug may impair a person’s ability to operate a vehicle or vessel, the pharmacist shall include a written label on the drug container indicating that the drug may impair a person’s ability to operate a vehicle or vessel. The label required by this subdivision may be printed on an auxiliary label that is affixed to the prescription container.

(c)The board may by regulation require additional information or labeling.

(d)This section shall not apply to a drug furnished to a patient in conjunction with treatment or emergency services provided in a health facility or, except as provided in subdivision (e), to a drug

furnished to a patient pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4056.

(e)A health facility shall establish and implement a written policy to ensure that each patient shall receive information regarding each drug given at the time of discharge and each drug given pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4056. This information shall include the use and storage of each drug, the precautions and relevant warnings, and the importance of compliance with directions. This information shall be given by a pharmacist or registered nurse, unless already provided by a patient’s prescriber,

and the written policy shall be developed in collaboration with a physician, a pharmacist, and a registered nurse. The written policy shall be approved by the medical staff. Nothing in this subdivision or any other law shall be construed to require that only a pharmacist provide this consultation.

§ 4075

Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.

No prescription for a controlled substance transmitted by means of an oral or electronically transmitted order shall be furnished to any person unknown and unable to properly establish his or her identity. The board may by regulation establish procedures to prevent unauthorized persons from receiving prescription drugs furnished to a patient or a representative of the patient.

§ 4076

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 196, Sec. 26.5. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)A pharmacist shall not dispense a prescription except in a container that meets the requirements of state and federal law and is correctly labeled with all of the following:

(1)Except when the prescriber or the certified nurse-midwife who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure or protocol described in Section 2746.51, the nurse practitioner who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure described in Section 2836.1 or protocol, the physician assistant who functions pursuant to Section 3502.1, the naturopathic doctor who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure or protocol described in Section 3640.5, or the pharmacist who functions pursuant to Section 4052 or

pursuant to a policy, procedure, or protocol pursuant to Section 4052.1, 4052.2, or 4052.6 orders otherwise, either the manufacturer’s trade name of the drug or the generic name and the name of the manufacturer. Commonly used abbreviations may be used. Preparations containing two or more active ingredients may be identified by the manufacturer’s trade name or the commonly used name or the principal active ingredients.

(2)The directions for the use of the drug.

(3)The name of the patient or patients.

(4)The name of the prescriber or, if applicable, the name of the certified nurse-midwife who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure or protocol described in Section 2746.51, the nurse practitioner who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure described in Section 2836.1 or

protocol, the physician assistant who functions pursuant to Section 3502.1, the naturopathic doctor who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure or protocol described in Section 3640.5, or the pharmacist who functions pursuant to Section 4052 or pursuant to a policy, procedure, or protocol pursuant to Section 4052.1, 4052.2, or 4052.6.

(5)The date of issue.

(6)The name and address of the pharmacy, and prescription number or other means of identifying the prescription.

(7)The strength of the drug or drugs dispensed.

(8)The quantity of the drug or drugs dispensed.

(9)The

expiration date of the effectiveness of the drug dispensed.

(10)The condition or purpose for which the drug was prescribed if the condition or purpose is indicated on the prescription.

(11)(A) Commencing January 1, 2006, the physical description of the dispensed medication, including its color, shape, and any identification code that appears on the tablets or capsules, except as follows:

(i)Prescriptions dispensed by a veterinarian.

(ii) An exemption from the requirements of this paragraph shall be granted to a new drug for the first 120 days that the drug is on the market and for the 90 days during which the national reference file has no description on file.

(iii) Dispensed medications for which no physical description exists in a commercially available database.

(B) This paragraph applies to outpatient pharmacies only.

(C) The information required by this paragraph may be printed on an auxiliary label that is affixed to the prescription container.

(D) This paragraph shall not become operative if the board, prior to January 1, 2006, adopts regulations that mandate the same labeling requirements set forth in this paragraph.

(b)If a pharmacist dispenses a prescribed drug by means of a unit dose medication system, as defined by administrative regulation, for a patient in a skilled nursing, intermediate care, or other health care facility, the requirements of this section will be satisfied if the

unit dose medication system contains the aforementioned information or the information is otherwise readily available at the time of drug administration.

(c)If a pharmacist dispenses a dangerous drug or device in a facility licensed pursuant to Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, it is not necessary to include on individual unit dose containers for a specific patient, the name of the certified nurse-midwife who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure or protocol described in Section 2746.51, the nurse practitioner who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure described in Section 2836.1 or protocol, the physician assistant who functions pursuant to Section 3502.1, the naturopathic doctor who functions pursuant to a standardized procedure or protocol described in Section 3640.5, or the pharmacist who functions pursuant to Section 4052 or

pursuant to a policy, procedure, or protocol pursuant to Section 4052.1, 4052.2, or 4052.6.

(d)If a pharmacist dispenses a prescription drug for use in a facility licensed pursuant to Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, it is not necessary to include the information required in paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) when the prescription drug is administered to a patient by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000)), the Nursing Practice Act (Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700)), or the Vocational Nursing Practice Act (Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 2840)), who is acting within the scope of practice.

(e)A pharmacist shall use professional judgment to provide a patient with directions for use that enhance the patient’s understanding of those directions, consistent with the prescriber’s

instructions.

(f)(1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other law, a pharmacist may dispense a drug prescribed pursuant to Section 120582 of the Health and Safety Code and label the drug without the name of an individual for whom the drug is intended if the prescription includes the words “expedited partner therapy” or the letters “EPT.”

(2)A pharmacist who prescribes, dispenses, furnishes, or otherwise renders EPT, as authorized in subdivision (f), shall not be liable in,

and shall not be subject to, a civil, criminal, or administrative action, sanction, or penalty for rendering EPT, if the use of EPT is in compliance with this section, except in cases of intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or wanton or reckless activity.

(3)A pharmacist who provides EPT under this section shall provide written notification that describes the right of an individual who receives EPT to consult with a pharmacist about the medication dispensed and additional information regarding possible drug interactions.

(g)(1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other law, a pharmacist may, at their discretion, dispense brand name or generic mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion without the name of the patient as required in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the name of the prescriber as required in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), or the name and address of the pharmacy as required in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) if the prescription is labeled with a prescription number or other means of identifying the prescription.

(2)A pharmacist who dispenses, furnishes, or otherwise renders brand name or generic mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion, as authorized in paragraph (1), shall maintain a log with the prescription numbers and the information required in paragraphs (1) to (10),

inclusive, of subdivision (a).

(3)Notwithstanding Section 4081, all records maintained under paragraph (2) shall not be open to inspection by law enforcement without a valid, court-issued subpoena.

(4)This subdivision does not prohibit the investigation of an activity that is punishable as a crime under the laws of this state, provided that records maintained under paragraph (2) are not shared with an individual or entity from another state.

(5)A pharmacist shall inform the patient that the pharmacist is dispensing brand name or generic mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion as authorized by this subdivision.

§ 4076.5

Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 728, Sec. 9. (SB 71) Effective January 1, 2013.

(a)The board shall promulgate regulations that require, on or before January 1, 2011, a standardized, patient-centered, prescription drug label on all prescription medicine dispensed to patients in California.

(b)To ensure maximum public comment, the board shall hold public meetings statewide that are separate from its normally scheduled hearings in order to seek information from groups representing consumers, seniors, pharmacists or the practice of pharmacy, other health care professionals, and other interested parties.

(c)When developing the requirements for prescription drug labels, the board shall consider all of the following factors:

(1)Medical literacy research that points to increased understandability of labels.

(2)Improved directions for use.

(3)Improved font types and sizes.

(4)Placement of information that is patient-centered.

(5)The needs of patients with limited English proficiency.

(6)The needs of senior citizens.

(7)Technology requirements necessary to implement the standards.

(d)The board may exempt from the requirements of regulations promulgated pursuant to subdivision (a) prescriptions dispensed to a patient

in a health facility, as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, if the prescriptions are administered by a licensed health care professional. Prescriptions dispensed to a patient in a health facility that will not be administered by a licensed health care professional or that are provided to the patient upon discharge from the facility shall be subject to the requirements of this section and the regulations promulgated pursuant to subdivision (a). Nothing in this subdivision shall alter or diminish existing statutory and regulatory informed consent, patients’ rights, or pharmaceutical labeling and storage requirements, including, but not limited to, the requirements of Section 1418.9 of the Health and Safety Code or Section 72357, 72527, or 72528 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

(e)(1) The board may exempt from the requirements of regulations promulgated pursuant to subdivision (a) a

prescription dispensed to a patient if all of the following apply:

(A) The drugs are dispensed by a JCAHO-accredited home infusion or specialty pharmacy.

(B) The patient receives health-professional-directed education prior to the beginning of therapy by a nurse or pharmacist.

(D) Care is provided under a formal plan of care based upon a physician and surgeon’s orders.

(2)For purposes of paragraph (1), home infusion and specialty therapies include parenteral therapy or other forms of administration that require regular laboratory and patient monitoring.

§ 4076.6

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 330, Sec. 1. (AB 1902) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)Upon the request of a patient or patient’s representative, a dispenser shall provide translated directions for use, which shall be printed on the prescription container, label, or on a supplemental document. If translated directions for use appear on a prescription container or label, the English-language version of the directions for use shall also appear on the container or label, whenever possible, and may appear on other areas of the label outside the patient-centered area. When it is not possible for the English-language directions for use to appear on the container or label, it shall be provided on a supplemental document.

(b)A dispenser may use translations made available by the board

pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1707.5 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations to comply with this section.

(c)A dispenser shall provide translated directions for use in the languages the board has made available, but shall not be required to provide translated directions for use beyond the languages that the board has made available or beyond the directions that the board has made available in translated form.

(d)A dispenser may provide their own translated directions for use to comply with the requirements of this section, and nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a dispenser from providing translated directions for use in languages beyond those that the board has made available or beyond the directions that the board has made available in translated

form.

(e)A dispenser shall be responsible for the accuracy of the English-language directions for use provided to the patient. This section shall not affect a dispenser’s existing responsibility to correctly label a prescription pursuant to Section 4076.

(f)This section does not include prescriptions issued by a veterinarian.

§ 4076.7

Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 693, Sec. 11. (SB 1109) Effective January 1, 2019.

In addition to the requirements of Sections 4076 and 4076.5, whenever a prescription drug containing an opioid is dispensed to a patient for outpatient use, the pharmacy or practitioner dispensing the drug shall prominently display on the label or container, by means of a flag or other notification mechanism attached to the container, a notice that states “Caution: Opioid. Risk of overdose and addiction.”

§ 4076.8

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 330, Sec. 2. (AB 1902) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)If a person informs a pharmacy that the person identifies as a person who is blind, has low-vision, or is otherwise print disabled, the dispenser shall provide to the person or their authorized representative, at no additional cost, an accessible prescription label affixed to the container that is all of the following:

(1)Available to the person in a timely manner comparable to other patient wait times and lasting for at least the duration of the prescription.

(2)Appropriate to the disability and language of the person making the request through use of audible, large print, Braille, or translated

directions as required pursuant to Section 4076.6.

(3)Conforms to the format-specific best practices established by the United States Access Board and the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care, also referred to as the National CLAS Standards.

(b)A dispenser shall ensure that the prescription label is compatible with the prescription reader if a reader is provided.

(c)If the accessible prescription label cannot be affixed to the container because it does not fit on the container, the dispenser, upon dispensing the prescription drug, shall provide the patient or their authorized representative with a supplemental document

that meets the requirements specified in this section.

(d)This section does not apply to prescription drugs dispensed and administered by an institutional pharmacy, correctional institution, or licensed correctional pharmacy. However, this section does apply to an institutional pharmacy when providing prescription drugs to a person with a disability for use by the individual upon their release from the health care facility.

(e)This

section does not include prescriptions issued by a veterinarian.

(f)The board shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement this section.

(g)As used in this section:

(1)“Institutional pharmacy” means a pharmacy that is part of, or is operated in conjunction with, a health care facility, as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, with the exception of a licensed correctional pharmacy.

(2)“Prescription reader” means a device that is designed to audibly convey the information contained on the label of a prescription drug.

§ 4077

Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 51. Effective January 1, 1998.

(a)Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), no person shall dispense any dangerous drug upon prescription except in a container correctly labeled with the information required by Section 4076.

(b)Physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and veterinarians may personally furnish any dangerous drug prescribed by them to the patient for whom prescribed, provided that the drug is properly labeled to show all information required in Section 4076 except the prescription number.

(c)Devices that bear the legend “Caution: federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a _____,” or words of similar meaning, are exempt from the requirements of Section 4076, and Section 111480 of the Health and Safety Code, when provided to patients in skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(d)The following notification shall be affixed to all quantities of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) prescribed by a physician, or dispensed by a pharmacy pursuant to the order of a physician in California: “Warning: DMSO may be hazardous to your health. Follow the directions of the physician who prescribed the DMSO for you.”

(e)The label of any retail package of DMSO shall include appropriate precautionary measures for proper handling and first aid treatment and a warning statement to keep the product out of reach of children.

§ 4078

Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 655, Sec. 48. Effective January 1, 2000.

(a)(1) No person shall place a false or misleading label on a prescription.

(2)No prescriber shall direct that a prescription be labeled with any information that is false or misleading.

(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a person may label a prescription, or a prescriber may direct that a prescription be labeled, with information about the drug that is false under either of the following circumstances:

(1)If the labeling is a necessary part of a clinical or investigational drug program approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or a legitimate investigational drug project involving a drug previously approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

(2)If, in the medical judgment of the prescriber, the labeling is appropriate for the proper treatment of the patient.

(c)The furnisher of a prescription labeled pursuant to subdivision (b) shall make, and retain for three years from the date of making, a record stating the manner in which the information on the prescription label varies from the actual drug in the container and documenting the order of the prescriber to so label the container. The prescriber shall make, and retain for at least three years, a record of his or her order to so label the container.

§ 4079

Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 114, Sec. 2. (AB 1803) Effective July 12, 2019. Section operative January 1, 2020, by its own provisions.

(a)A pharmacy shall inform a customer at the point of sale for a covered prescription drug whether the retail price is lower than the applicable cost-sharing amount for the prescription drug, unless the pharmacy automatically charges the customer the lower price.

(b)If the customer pays the retail price, the pharmacy shall submit the claim to the health care service plan or health insurer in the same manner as if the customer had purchased the prescription drug by paying the cost-sharing amount when submitted by the network pharmacy.

(c)The payment rendered shall constitute the applicable cost sharing and shall apply to

the deductible, if any, and also to the maximum out-of-pocket limit in the same manner as if the enrollee had purchased the prescription drug by paying the cost-sharing amount.

(d)A contract provision that is inconsistent with this section is void and unenforceable.

(e)The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

(f)A violation of this provision shall not be grounds for disciplinary action or a criminal action.

(g)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2020.