Ala. Admin. Code r. 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.
Notes
Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, ยง 20-2-60, et. seq.; Act 2009-489.
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