(a)  No legend drug in solid dosage form may be manufactured or distributed for sale in this state unless it is clearly marked or imprinted with a code imprint identifying the drug and the manufacturer or distributor of the drug. Manufacturers or distributors who only repack an already finished dosage form of a legend drug shall not have the responsibility to do the imprint.

(b)  On or before July 1, 1982, manufacturers or distributors of legend drugs, depending on whether the manufacturer’s or distributor’s code imprint will appear on the surface of the solid dosage form, shall provide to the department a list of their legend drugs and the intended code imprints. The department shall provide for the distribution of the information required to be submitted under this subdivision to all poison control centers in the state. Manufacturers, distributors, and the department shall provide to any licensed health care provider, upon request, lists of legend drugs and code imprints provided to the department under this section, but may charge a reasonable fee to cover copying and postage costs. Updated lists shall be provided to the department annually or as changes or revisions occur.

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(c)  The department may grant exemptions from the requirements of this section upon application of a manufacturer or distributor indicating size or other characteristics that render the product impractical for the imprinting required by this section.

(d)  A legend drug that does not meet the requirements is misbranded.

(e)  It is the intent of the Legislature that all legend drugs having solid dosage forms be imprinted regardless of by whom they are distributed.

(f)  This section shall apply to all legend drugs sold in California on or after January 1, 1983.

(g)  Pharmacists, pharmacies, and licensed wholesalers shall only be liable for knowing and willful violations of this section, except that no liability shall accrue if the pharmacist acts pursuant to § 4229.5 of the Business and Professions Code.

(h)  The provisions of subdivisions (a) to (g), inclusive, shall not apply to any of the following:

(1)  Drugs purchased by a pharmacy, pharmacist, or licensed wholesaler prior to January 1, 1983, and held in stock for resale.

(2)  Drugs that are the subject of an investigation pursuant to Section 111590 or 111595.

(3)  Drugs that are manufactured by or upon the order of a practitioner licensed by law to prescribe or administer drugs and that are to be used solely by the patient for whom prescribed.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1996.)