This section defines terms used in the article, including administer, assistant to physician, board, physician supervision, prescribe, prescription, and supervising physician.
As used in this article the following words shall have the following meanings: (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. Any person who is a graduate of an approved program, is licensed by the board, 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) 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. 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. (5) PRESCRIBE or PRESCRIBING. The act of issuing a prescription for a controlled substance. (6) 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. (7) SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN. A doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy licensed to practice medicine in Alabama who has been approved by the board to supervise assistants to physicians and who holds a valid, current, and unrestricted Alabama Controlled Substances Registration Certificate.