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Emergency Law Inventory | Full Law Text

Law Number

S.C. Code Ann. 40-43-170

Summary Title

Scope of Practice: Pharmacist Authority to Dispense During State of Emergency

Summary

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a pharmacist can dispense a one-time emergency refill (for up to a 15 day supply) in the area(s) affected by the emergency declaration if they have a valid prescription, the refill is not for a controlled substance, and they believe that the refill is urgently needed. A pharmacist who holds a license in another state can, as part of organized relief efforts, dispense prescription medications in the area(s) affected by the emergency declaration without obtaining a South Carolina license; an out-of-state pharmacist must carry identification to verify current licensure.

Full Title

State of Emergency; prerequisites to emergency refills; dispensing of medications by pharmacists not licensed in this State

Full Text

(A) When the Governor issues a "State of Emergency": (1) A pharmacist may work in the affected county and may dispense a one-time emergency refill of up to a fifteen-day supply of a prescribed medication if: (a) the pharmacist has all prescription information necessary in order to accurately refill the prescription and; (b) in the pharmacist's professional opinion the medication is essential to the maintenance of life or to the continuation of therapy and; (c) the pharmacist reduces the information to a written prescription marked "Emergency Refill", files the prescription as required by law and notifies the prescribing physician within fifteen days of the emergency refill and; (d) the prescription is not for a controlled substance. (2) A pharmacist not licensed in South Carolina but currently licensed in another state, may in a state of emergency dispense prescription medications in those affected counties without being licensed in South Carolina during the time that a state of emergency exists if: (a) the pharmacist has some type of identification to verify current licensure in another state and; (b) the pharmacist is engaged in a legitimate relief effort during an emergency situation. (B) This disaster preparedness ends with the state of emergency.

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