Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-12-.01

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 540-X-12-.01 - Definitions

The following definitions shall apply to the rules in this chapter:

(1) Administer - The direct application of a controlled substance, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other means, to the body of a patient by any of the following:

(a) A supervising physician, or, in his or her presence, his or her authorized agent.

(b) An assistant to physician.

(c) The patient at the direction and in the presence of the supervising physician or assistant to physician.

(2) Assistant to Physician (P.A.) - Any person who is a graduate of an approved program, is licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners, and is registered by the Board to perform medical services under the supervision of a physician approved by the Board to supervise an assistant to physician.

(3) Board - The Board of Medical Examiners of the State of Alabama.

(4) Dispense - To deliver a controlled substance to an ultimate user by or pursuant to the lawful order of a physician or Physician Assistant, including the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling or compounding necessary to prepare the substance for that delivery.

(5) Excessive Dispensing - A registrant may be considered to have excessively dispensed a controlled substance if the Board finds that either the controlled substance was dispensed for no legitimate medical purpose, or that the amount of the controlled substance dispensed is not reasonably related to the proper medical management of the patient's illness or condition. Drug addiction shall not be considered an illness or condition which would justify the continued dispensing of a controlled substance, except in gradually decreasing dosages administered to the patient for the purpose of curing the addiction.

(6) Physician Supervision - A formal relationship between a licensed assistant to physician and a supervising physician under whom the assistant to physician is authorized to practice as evidenced by a written job description approved in accordance with Article 7, Chapter 24, Title 34, Code of Ala. 1975. Physician supervision requires that there shall be at all times a direct continuing and close supervisory relationship between the assistant to physician and the supervising physician to whom that assistant is registered. The term supervision does not require direct on-site supervision of the assistant to physician; however, it does require the professional oversight and direction as may be required by the regulations and guidelines of the Board of Medical Examiners.

7. Prescribe or Prescribing - The act of issuing a prescription for a controlled substance.

(8) Prescription - Any order for a controlled substance written or signed or transmitted by word of mouth, telephone, telegraph, closed circuit television or other means of communication by a legally competent supervising physician or assistant to physician authorized by law to prescribe and administer such drug which is intended to be filled, compounded, or dispensed by a pharmacist.

(9) QACSC - Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Registration Certificate.

(10) Supervising Physician - A doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy licensed to practice medicine in Alabama who has been approved by the Board of Medical Examiners to supervise assistants to physicians and who holds a valid, current, and unrestricted Alabama Controlled Substances Registration Certificate.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-12-.01

Filed January 20, 1988. Amended: Filed March 19, 1992. Repealed: Filed May 20, 1996; effective June 24, 1996. New Rule: Filed February 17, 2010; effective March 24, 2010.

Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 20-2-60, et. seq.; Act 2009-489.