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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 9Art. 4§ 4078 Prescription Label Accuracy Rules

§ 4078 Prescription Label Accuracy Rules

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

§ 4078 Prescription Label Accuracy Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •You can't put fake or wrong info on a medicine bottle label.
  • •Doctors can't tell pharmacists to put fake info on medicine labels.
  • •Sometimes fake labels are okay, like for special medical tests or if the doctor thinks it's best for the patient.
  • •If a fake label is used, the doctor and pharmacist must keep records for 3 years.

Example

A doctor tells a pharmacist to put a fake name on a pill bottle to help a patient take their medicine without knowing what it is.

This is allowed only if the doctor thinks it's best for the patient. The doctor and pharmacist must write down why they did it and keep the record for 3 years.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 4078 Prescription Label Accuracy Rules

(a) (1) No person shall place a false or misleading label on a prescription. (2) No prescriber shall direct that a prescription be labeled with any information that is false or misleading. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a person may label a prescription, or a prescriber may direct that a prescription be labeled, with information about the drug that is false under either of the following circumstances: (1) If the labeling is a necessary part of a clinical or investigational drug program approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or a legitimate investigational drug project involving a drug previously approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration. (2) If, in the medical judgment of the prescriber, the labeling is appropriate for the proper treatment of the patient. (c) The furnisher of a prescription labeled pursuant to subdivision (b) shall make, and retain for three years from the date of making, a record stating the manner in which the information on the prescription label varies from the actual drug in the container and documenting the order of the prescriber to so label the container. The prescriber shall make, and retain for at least three years, a record of his or her order to so label the container. (Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 655, Sec. 48. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

prescriptiontreatmentjudgmentmedicalpatientpharmacyinformationdrug administration

Related Statutes

  • § 4074 Pharmacist Drug Warning Requirements
  • § 4073.5 Biological Product Substitution Rules
  • § 4076.5 Prescription Drug Label Standards
  • § 4077 Prescription Drug Labeling Requirements
  • § 4132 Remote Pharmacy Technician Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 4078.
View Official Source