Drug Dispensing FAQs

Do you QUALIFY for a Drug Dispensing Permit?

1. Is your medical license currently suspended by any order imposed by any medical licensing board?
2. Is your medical license currently on probation by any order imposed by any medical licensing board?
3. Is your medical license currently subject to any restrictions or conditions on your license related to the abuse, misuse, or improper prescribing of drugs by any order imposed by any medical licensing board?
4. Within the last five years, has your medical license been sanctioned by any medical licensing board for the commission of a crime of moral turpitude, or sanctioned for a violation of Health Occupations Article, §§14-404(a)(7), (8), (9), (10), or (28), Annotated Code of Maryland, or a similar statute of another state?
5. Within the last five years, have you had your CDS registration issued by the Office Controlled Substances Administration (formerly DDC) or its predecessor, the registration issued by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, or your Board dispensing permit
   1. Revoked;
   2. Suspended; or
   3. Voluntarily relinquished or surrendered while under investigation or after being informed that an investigation will be commenced?

General information

• Permits are valid for five (5) years from the date of issue. The fee for the five-year term is $1,050.00 and is non-refundable. As required by Health Occupations Article, § 12-102.2, the Board collects $1,000.00 for the MDH-Office of Controlled Substances Administration (OCSA) to cover the cost of conducting inspections. The remaining $50.00 is retained by the Board as a processing fee.
• A permit may lapse or be revoked under certain conditions. For example, failure to notify the Board of a change of address may lead to a lapse of your permit. See COMAR 10.32.23.12.
• Do I need a Permit to Dispense in Maryland?
  Per COMAR 10.32.23.03, a permit is not required if either of the following scenarios are true:
  1. Dispense prescription drugs or devices at a health facility or center described in Health Occupations Article § 12-102(g)(1)-(3); or
     1. At a medical facility or clinic that is operated on a nonprofit basis;
     2. At a health center that operates on a campus of an institution of higher education; or
     3. At a public health facility, a medical facility under contract with a State or local health department, or a facility funded with public funds.
  2. Dispense to a patient, free of charge :
     1. A drug sample;
     2. A sample unit; or
     3. A starter dosage of a prescription drug, not to exceed a 72-hour supply.

  If you have additional questions, please email the Board: mdh.mbpdrugdispense@maryland.gov.

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