Definitions — Maine Code § 7246.

§ 7246.. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 2003, c. 483, §1 (NEW).]

1.  Controlled substance.  "Controlled substance" means a controlled substance included in schedules II, III, IV or V of 21 United States Code, Section 812 or 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1308.

1-A.  Acute pain.  "Acute pain" means pain that is the normal, predicted physiological response to a noxious chemical or thermal or mechanical stimulus. "Acute pain" typically is associated with invasive procedures, trauma and disease and is usually time-limited.

1-B.  Administer.  "Administer" means an action to apply a prescription drug directly to a person by any means by a licensed or certified health care professional acting within that professional's scope of practice. "Administer" does not include the delivery, dispensing or distribution of a prescription drug for later use.

1-C.  Chronic pain.  "Chronic pain" means pain that persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or healing of an injury. "Chronic pain" may or may not be associated with an acute or chronic pathologic process that causes continuous or intermittent pain over months or years.

2.  Dispenser.  "Dispenser" means:

A. A pharmacist who is licensed or registered under Title 32; or   [PL 2017, c. 360, §1 (NEW).]

B. A veterinarian licensed under Title 32, chapter 71‑A with authority to dispense a benzodiazepine or an opioid medication.   [PL 2017, c. 360, §1 (NEW).]

3.  Fund.  "Fund" means the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program Fund established in section 7247.

4.  Office. 

5.  Prescriber.  "Prescriber" means a licensed health care professional or veterinarian with prescriptive authority, including a licensed health care professional or veterinarian who uses telehealth in providing health care to prescribe controlled substances to patients located in this State.

6.  Prescription monitoring information.  "Prescription monitoring information" means information submitted to and maintained by the program.

7.  Program.  "Program" means the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program established under section 7248.

8.  Telehealth.  "Telehealth" has the same meaning as in Title 24‑A, section 4316, subsection 1, paragraph C.