Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §13702, sub-§1-A, is enacted to read:

1-A.__Automated pharmacy systems.__"Automated pharmacy systems" means mechanical systems that perform operations or activities, other than compounding, relative to the storage, packaging, labeling, dispensing or distribution of medications, and systems that collect, control and maintain all transactional information.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §13702, sub-§2-A, is enacted to read:

2-A.__Compounding.__"Compounding" means the preparation, mixing, assembling, packaging or labeling of a drug or device either for dispensing as the result of a practitioner's prescription drug order, or for the purpose of, or as an incident to, research, teaching or chemical analysis and not for sale or dispensing.__"Compounding" also includes the preparation of drugs or devices in anticipation of prescription drug orders based on routine, regularly observed prescribing patterns.

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §13702, sub-§10-A, is enacted to read:

10-A.__Electronic transmission.__"Electronic transmission" means transmission of information in electronic form or the transmission of the exact visual image of a document by way of electronic equipment.

Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §13702, sub-§23, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 710, §5, is amended to read:

23. Practitioner. "Practitioner" means a physician, dentist, podiatrist, veterinarian, scientific investigator or other person, other than pharmacists, licensed in the United States and Canada to dispense, conduct research with respect to or administer drugs in the course of professional practice or research an individual who is licensed, registered or otherwise authorized in the appropriate jurisdiction to prescribe and administer drugs in the course of professional practice.

Sec. 5. 32 MRSA §13702, sub-§25, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 710, §5, is amended to read:

25. Prescription drug order. "Prescription drug order" means a lawful written or oral order of a practitioner for a drug or device. Written orders may be issued on a prescription form or by electronic transmission.

Sec. 6. 32 MRSA §13722, sub-§1, ¶B-1 is enacted to read:

B-1.__Establish standards for the use, maintenance and supervision of automated pharmacy systems.