As used in this part:

1. (1)

   1. (A) “Prescription” means an order for medicine or medicines usually written as a formula by a:

      1. (i) Physician;
      2. (ii) Optometrist;
      3. (iii) Dentist;
      4. (iv) Veterinarian; or
      5. (v) Other licensed medicinal practitioner.

   2. (B) It:

      1. (i) Contains the names and quantities of the desired substance, with instructions to the pharmacist for its preparation and to the patient for the use of the medicine at a particular time; and
      2. (ii) May authorize the pharmacist to substitute a therapeutically equivalent drug that is at an equal or lower cost to the patient and communicate that authorization by any generally accepted means of communication of a prescription from a prescriber to a pharmacist;
2. (2) “Prescription drug order” means a lawful order of a practitioner for a drug or device for a specific patient that is communicated to a pharmacist;

3. (3) “Therapeutic class” means a group of similar drug products that:

   1. (A) Have the same or similar mechanisms of action; and
   2. (B) Are used to treat a specific condition;
4. (4) “Therapeutically equivalent” means drug products from the same therapeutic class that if administered in appropriate amounts will provide the same therapeutic effect, identical in duration and intensity; and
5. (5) “Written prescription” means a prescription that is presented to an apothecary, pharmacy, or pharmacist in compliance with federal law and regulations, including a written, oral, faxed, or electronic prescription.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: “(5/31/2014, Amended 11/30/2014, and 5/10/2022)"