(a) A prescription shall be transmitted in either an oral, written or electronic manner to a pharmacy.

(b) Whenever a pharmacy, or an institutional pharmacy in a hospital dispensing a drug or device for outpatient use or dispensing a drug or device that is prescribed for an employee of the hospital or for the employee’s spouse or dependent children, receives an oral or electronically-transmitted prescription, except for a controlled drug, as defined in § 21a-240, a record of such prescription shall be maintained in writing or electronically. The pharmacist or pharmacy intern shall, not later than the end of the business day when the prescription was received, record the prescription on a prescription form or in an electronic record including: (1) The name and address of the prescribing practitioner; (2) the date of the prescription; (3) the name, dosage form, strength, where applicable, and the amount of the drug prescribed; (4) the name and address of the patient or, for veterinary prescriptions, the name and address of the owner and the species of the animal; (5) the directions for use; (6) any required cautionary statements; and (7) the number of times the prescription may be refilled, including the use of refill terms “PRN” and “ad lib” in lieu of a specific number of authorized refills.

(c) A written prescription shall bear: (1) The written signature of the prescribing practitioner or shall comply with the requirements of § 19a-509c; (2) the address of the practitioner; (3) the date of the prescription; (4) the name, dosage form, strength, where applicable, and amount of the drug prescribed; (5) the name and address of the patient or, for veterinary prescriptions, the name and address of the owner and the species of the animal; (6) the directions for use; (7) any required cautionary statements; and (8) the number of times the prescription may be refilled, including the use of refill terms “PRN” and “ad lib” in lieu of a specific number of authorized refills. No written prescription form for a schedule II substance may contain an order for any other legend drug or device.

(d) Prior to or simultaneous with the dispensing of a drug, from a pharmacy licensed pursuant to this chapter, a pharmacist or other employee of the pharmacy shall, whenever practicable, offer for the pharmacist to discuss the drug to be dispensed and to counsel the patient on the usage of the drug, except when the person obtaining the prescription is other than the person named on the prescription form or electronic record or the pharmacist determines it is appropriate to make such offer in writing. Any such written offer shall include an offer to communicate with the patient either in person at the pharmacy or by telephone.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a pharmacist to provide counseling to a patient who refuses such counseling. The pharmacist shall keep a record of such counseling, any refusal by or inability of the patient to accept counseling or a refusal by the patient to provide information regarding such counseling. Records kept pursuant to this subsection shall be maintained for the same length of time as prescription records are maintained pursuant to § 20-615.

(f) (1) As used in this subsection, “electronic data intermediary” means an entity that provides the infrastructure that connects the computer systems or other electronic devices utilized by prescribing practitioners with those used by pharmacies in order to facilitate the secure transmission of electronic prescription orders, refill authorization requests, communications and other patient care information between such entities.

(2) An electronic data intermediary may transfer electronically transmitted data between a prescribing practitioner licensed and authorized to prescribe and a pharmacy of the patient’s choice, licensed pursuant to this chapter or licensed under the laws of any other state or territory of the United States. Electronic data intermediaries shall not alter the transmitted data except as necessary for technical processing purposes. Electronic data intermediaries may archive copies of only that electronic data related to such transmissions necessary to provide for proper auditing and security of such transmissions. Such data shall only be maintained for the period necessary for auditing purposes. Electronic data intermediaries shall maintain patient privacy and confidentiality of all archived information as required by state and federal law.

(3) No electronic data intermediary shall operate without the approval of the Commissioner of Consumer Protection. An electronic data intermediary seeking approval shall apply to the Commission of Pharmacy in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner, with the advice and assistance of the commission, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish criteria for the approval of electronic data intermediaries, to ensure that (A) procedures to be used for the transmission and retention of prescription data by an intermediary, and (B) mechanisms to be used by an intermediary to safeguard the confidentiality of such data, are consistent with the provisions and purposes of this section.