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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 9Art. 4§ 4077 Prescription Drug Labeling Requirements

§ 4077 Prescription Drug Labeling Requirements

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 4077 Prescription Drug Labeling Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •Medicine bottles must have the right labels with important info, like how to take it and warnings.
  • •Doctors can give medicine directly to their patients, but they still need to label it with most of the same info.
  • •Some special medical tools don’t need labels if they’re used in nursing homes.
  • •A medicine called DMSO must have a warning label saying it can be dangerous if not used the right way.

Example

You go to the pharmacy to pick up medicine for a bad cough.

The pharmacy must put a label on the bottle with your name, how much to take, and warnings. If they don’t, they’re breaking the law.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 4077 Prescription Drug Labeling Requirements

(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), no person shall dispense any dangerous drug upon prescription except in a container correctly labeled with the information required by Section 4076. (b) Physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and veterinarians may personally furnish any dangerous drug prescribed by them to the patient for whom prescribed, provided that the drug is properly labeled to show all information required in Section 4076 except the prescription number. (c) Devices that bear the legend “Caution: federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a _____,” or words of similar meaning, are exempt from the requirements of Section 4076, and Section 111480 of the Health and Safety Code, when provided to patients in skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) The following notification shall be affixed to all quantities of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) prescribed by a physician, or dispensed by a pharmacy pursuant to the order of a physician in California: “Warning: DMSO may be hazardous to your health. Follow the directions of the physician who prescribed the DMSO for you.” (e) The label of any retail package of DMSO shall include appropriate precautionary measures for proper handling and first aid treatment and a warning statement to keep the product out of reach of children. (Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 51. Effective January 1, 1998.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

prescriptioncautiontreatmentpatientphysiciandangermedicalsafety

Related Statutes

  • § 4170 Prescriber Dispensing Restrictions
  • § 4019 Hospital Drug Order Authorization
  • § 4040 Prescription Order Requirements
  • § 4059 Prescription Requirements For Drugs
  • § 4078 Prescription Label Accuracy Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 4077.
View Official Source