Maryland: Summary of Important Pharmacy-Related Rules, Regulations, Statutes, and Practices That Apply to Practice of Pharmacy

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Delegated Pharmacy Act

• This is an activity related to pharmacy practice and performed by a licensed pharmacist.

• Therapy management, providing flu vaccines, and activities of pharmacy technicians, students, or pharmacist candidates (graduates who have not yet become licensed) are not considered “delegated acts.”

Security in the Pharmacy

• Prescription area must have reasonable temperature and ventilation parameters.

• Prescription department must have capacity to be secured to prevent unauthorized individuals to enter the pharmacy.

• Security alarm system is required.

• The individual whose name is on the pharmacy’s permit is responsible for security.

Licenses

• Pharmacist—to practice, must be licensed in Maryland.

• Renewals are every 2 years.

• To become licensed as a pharmacist, he or she:

  • Must be graduate of ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy.

  • Take and pass Naplex and pharmacy law test (MPJE), which are defined as Part 1 and 2 of Exam I.

  • If required by the Board, an applicant might be required to take Exam II—Prescreening Test of Oral English Competency and, possibly, a Test of Oral English Competency.

  • Completion of either:

    • 1,000 hours of pharmacy college supervised experiential rotations, or

    • 1,560 hours of training under licensed pharmacist supervision.

  • Pharmacists who attended non-U.S. schools of pharmacy must have graduated from an ACPE-recognized school of pharmacy, take and pass Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination (FPGEE), complete a Maryland internship, take and pass the MPJE, if required by the Board take a Prescreening Test of Oral English Competency and, possibly, a Test of Oral English Competency.

• Reciprocity

  • Apply to Board.

  • Completion of 520 hours of experience after graduation.

  • Pass MPJE for Maryland.

  • Pass Prescreening Test of Oral English Competency and, possibly, a Test of Oral English Competency.

• 30-day requirement to notify the Board of Pharmacy that the pharmacist’s mailing address has changed.

• Pharmacists working in Maryland must notify Board within 30 days of a change in their primary employer.

Continuing Education

• 30 hours each 2-year license period.

  • 2 of the 30 hours must be live.

  • 1 hour of the 30 must be on topic of “medication errors.”

  • If pharmacist is certified to administer vaccines, 4 hours of the 30 per license period must be related to vaccinations.

Pharmacy Permits

• Pharmacy—must have a pharmacy permit from Board.

• Renewal every 2 years.

• Each pharmacy must have its own permit.

• Nonresident pharmacies (out of state) are allowed.

  • Must comply with all state pharmacy rules, regulations, and guidelines.

  • Must provide telephone counseling services (minimum of 40 hours per week).

Other Nonpharmacy or Nonpharmacist Required Permits

• Drug wholesalers/distributors must obtain a permit from the Board.

• Drug manufacturers must obtain a permit from the Board.

• Permits must be renewed every 2 years.

Refuse to Fill

• Licensed pharmacist may use professional judgment to deny filling a prescription.

  ...