State v. Kellogg

568 P.2d 514, 98 Idaho 541, 1977 Ida. LEXIS 419

• Court: Idaho Supreme Court
• Decided: August 30, 1977
• Docket: 12291
• Status: Published

Opinions

SCOGGIN, District Judge.

Defendant-respondent Roscoe A. Kellogg was charged with the offense of selling a prescription drug, prednisolone, without legal authority to do so, in violation of I.C. § 37-2210. On defendant’s motion, the district court dismissed the information, holding that the statutory procedure by which a drug is classified as a prescription drug constitutes an unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority in violation of Idaho Constitution Art. 2, § 1, and Art. 3, § 1. The state appeals, arguing that there is no improper delegation. Defendant raises two additional issues on cross-appeal. Defendant contends that the state has failed to show that prednisolone is a prescription drug, and that because he is a naturopathic physician, he is entitled to dispense prescription drugs under the terms of the statute. We reverse and remand.

DELEGATION OF LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

Idaho Code § 37-2210 provides:

“Sale of drugs by unauthorized persons— Penalty. — No person except a physician, dentist, podiatrist, osteopath, pharmacist, registered nurse, wholesaler or manufacturer acting within the scope of his profession or occupation shall sell, dispense, give away or otherwise dispose of drugs required by the laws of this state or of the United States, or by the rules and regulations of the board, to be sold on a prescription order. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a felony, and on conviction thereof shall be imprisoned in the state penitentiary for a term of not to exceed three (3) years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment.”

The statute does not specify which drugs shall require a prescription order, but instead conditions that status upon three possible alternatives: (1) another state law, (2) a law of the United States, or (3) a rule or regulation of the Idaho Board of Pharmacy. There is apparently no other state law which defines prescription drugs. Under federal law, a prescription is required for some drugs by 21 U.S.C. § 353(b)(1).¹ Idaho Board of Pharmacy regulation No. 18-669-181 requires prescription for some drugs, but defers to federal law to define which drugs require prescription.²

In practice then, the only method by which a drug may become a prescription drug in Idaho is by the operation of federal law. The Commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration currently decides for the federal government which drugs are to be so regulated. National Nutritional Foods Ass’n v. Weinberger, 512 F.2d 688 (2d Cir. 1975).

Defendant maintained at trial that the legislature, by assigning the responsibility for determining prescription drug status to the Board of Pharmacy and to the federal government, improperly delegated its legislative authority. The trial court agreed and dismissed the information on that basis.

In considering whether a legislative delegation of decision making authority is constitutionally proper, this court held in Boise Redevelopment Agency v. Yick Kong Corp., 94 Idaho 876, 499 P.2d 575 (1972) that:

“It is clear that the legislative power of the state is by our Constitution vested in the Senate and House of Representatives and it is a fundamental principle of representative government that, except as authorized by organic law, the legislative department cannot delegate any of its power to make laws to any other body or authority. Local Union 288, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers v. Robison, 91 Idaho 445, 423 P.2d 999 (1967); State v. Purcell, 39 Idaho 642, 228 P. 796 (1924); State v. Nelson, 36 Idaho 713, 213 P. 358 (1923). It is also clear, however, as stated in Foeller v. Housing Authority of Portland, 198 Or. 205, 256 P.2d 752, 780 (1953), that:

‘Although the legislature cannot delegate its power to make a law or complete one, it can empower an agency or an official to ascertain the existence of the facts or conditions mentioned in the act upon which the law becomes operative.

* * * If the rule were otherwise, the legislature would indeed be at a great disadvantage in solving many of the complex and difficult problems with which it is confronted.”

t * * *

‘ “The legislature must itself fix the condition or event on which the statute is to operate, but it may confide to some suitable agency the fact-finding function as to whether the condition exists, or the power to determine, or the discretion to create, the stated event. The nature of the condition is broadly immaterial.” ’ ”

See also, Board of County Comm’rs v. Idaho Health Fac. Auth., 96 Idaho 498, 531 P.2d 588 (1975). In deciding whether a delegation is proper the court’s evaluation must be “tempered by due consideration for the practical context of the problem sought to be remedied, or the policy sought to be effected.” Dept. of Citrus v. Griffin, 239 So.2d 577 (Fla.1970). Regulation of drugs demands particular regard for practical considerations.

“In the area of drug regulation, delegations have been generally sustained despite broad standards of discretion. 1 Sutherland, Statutory Construction § 317 (3d ed. 1943). This must necessarily be so, for with new drugs being discovered and introduced at an unprecedented rate, it would be impossible for Congress to determine beforehand those drugs to which it wishes a particular policy to be applied and to formulate specific rules for each situation.” Iske v. United States, 396 F.2d 28 (10th Cir. 1968).

See also, State ex. rel. Scott v. Conaty, 155 W.Va. 718, 187 S.E.2d 119 (1972); Mason v. State, 12 Md.App. 655, 280 A.2d 753 (1971). With a single exception, every court which has passed upon the delegation question, across a wide range of drug-related statutes, has sustained the legislature’s action. National Nutritional Foods Ass’n v. Weinberger, supra; White v. United States, 395 F.2d 5 (1st Cir. 1968); Iske v. United States, supra; Scott v. Conaty, supra; Mason v. State, supra; State v. Hosick, 12 N.C.App. 74, 182 S.E.2d 596 (1971); Hohnke v. Commonwealth, 451 S.W.2d 162 (Ky.1970); State v. Davis, 450 S.W.2d 168 (Mo.1970); State v. Sargent, 252 Or. 579, 449 P.2d 845 (1969). But see, State v. Johnson, 84 S.D. 556, 173 N.W.2d 894 (1970).

The state of the drug art is constantly undergoing change, revision and development. Thousands of potentially dangerous drugs exist, and it would be impossible for the legislature to consider each drug and evaluate the need for prescription status. Delegation of the drug-by-drug evaluation is a necessary and proper exercise of legislative authority.

Kellogg contends that the legislature did not adequately specify the criteria to be employed in determining whether a drug should require prescription. Defendant points for example to 21 U.S.C. § 353(b)(1), and contends that it is possible for the legislature to spell out which types of drug effects it considers to be harmful and necessitate regulation. That the legislature could have chosen a more specific route is irrelevant. The question is whether the delegation chosen was adequate.

In areas which require relatively free delegation, such as in the instant case, the United States Supreme Court has articulated the following standard:

“The judicial approval accorded these ‘broad’ standards for administrative action is a reflection of the necessities of modern legislation dealing with complex economic and social problems. See Sunshine Anthracite Coal Co. v. Adkins, 310 U.S. 381, 398, 60 S.Ct. 907, 914, 84 L.Ed. 1263. The legislative process would frequently bog down if Congress were constitutionally required to appraise beforehand the myriad situations to which it wishes a particular policy to be applied and to formulate specific rules for each situation. Necessity therefore fixes a point beyond which it is unreasonable and impracticable to compel Congress to prescribe detailed rules; it then becomes constitutionally sufficient if Congress clearly delineates the general policy, the public agency which is to apply it, and the boundaries of this delegated authority. Private rights are protected by access to the courts to test the application of the policy in the light of these legislative declarations.” American Power & Light Co. v. Securities & Exchange Comm’n, 329 U.S. 90, 67 S.Ct. 133, 91 L.Ed. 103 (1946).

The Idaho legislature has provided the requisite general policy in I.C. § 37-2201:

“37-2201. Declaration of policy. — The legislature of the state of Idaho hereby finds that it is essential to the public health and safety to regulate and control the manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs and medical supplies as defined in this act.

It is, therefore, hereby declared to be the policy and purpose of this act to vest in an administrative agency composed of specially trained, competent, and skilled persons the power and authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this act, to the end that the manufacture and distribution of drugs, medical supplies, and the compounding and dispensing of prescriptions may be properly regulated and supervised in the interest of public health and safety.”

Legislative mandates that delegated authority be exercised “in the interest of public health and safety” are commonly considered adequate guidance from the legislature. Davis, Administrative Law Treatise, § 2.04 (1958). The legislature has delineated the agency chosen to effectuate the policy, the Board of Pharmacy, and has defined the limits of that Board’s power in terms of determining the status of various drugs. We cannot say that this is an improper delegation of legislative authority. The district court order dismissing the information is thus reversed and the cause is remanded for further proceedings.

CROSS-APPEAL ISSUES

On cross appeal, defendant raises two additional issues. He argues that the state failed to establish that prednisolone is a prescription drug, and that because he is a naturopathic physician, he is authorized to dispense prescription drugs. Both arguments are couched in terms of the state’s failure to establish probable cause at preliminary hearing.

Initially, we would observe that no preliminary hearing was held in this matter. Instead, the parties waived preliminary hearing and stipulated generally to the evidence which would have been presented at preliminary hearing. Included in the stipulation was a transcript of another unrelated preliminary hearing in another criminal matter, with the agreement that the evidence would have been substantially identical. Presumably, the court was to decide whether there was probable cause based upon the stipulation.

Defendant first contends that the state failed to establish that prednisolone does require a prescription. In the stipulation entered into by both parties, it was agreed that the following drug reference works would be introduced: (1) 1975 U.S. Pharmicopeia and Supplement No. 1 thereto; (2) 1970 Pharmicopeia; (3) 1969 Physicians Desk Reference; (4) U.S. Drug Directory Redbook; (5) National Drug Code; and (6) Manufacturer’s instructions for prednisolone. Several of these works denominate prednisolone as a prescription drug,³ and for the purposes of preliminary hearing this is adequate to establish probable cause. Presumably, at trial the state will establish official proof of the drug’s status.⁴

Defendant next argues that he is a naturopathic physician and that he is therefore entitled to dispense prescription drugs. I.C. § 37-2210 mandates that no person except a physician, dentist, podiatrist, osteopath, pharmacist, registered nurse, wholesaler or manufacturer may dispense prescription drugs. Kellogg contends that naturopathic physicians are thereby also excepted. In excepting physicians, we conclude that the legislature intended only to mean those persons licensed to practice medicine in the State pursuant to I.C. § 54-1803. There is no indication in the record that Kellogg is so licensed, and his claimed status as a naturopath does not automatically render him a “physician.”⁵ See, State v. Maxfield, 98 Idaho 356, 564 P.2d 968 (1977).

We note that in the stipulation it was agreed that

“the state would then introduce duly authenticated Affidavits of the Executive Secretary, State Board of Nursing; Bureau Chief, Bureau of Occupational Licenses, Department of Government Agencies; Executive Secretary, State Board of Pharmacy; Executive Secretary, State Board of Dentistry; Executive Secretary, State Board of Medicine; stating that after due and diligent search of the records of said boards and agencies, that said Affiants found no records indicating that Roscoe A. Kellogg was licensed or admitted to practice any of said professions or occupations listed in Idaho Code 37-2210.”

Given this state of the record, the state adequately established probable cause that Kellogg was not authorized to dispense prescription drugs.

The cause is reversed and remanded.

DONALDSON, SHEPARD and BISTLINE, JJ., concur.

1 . 21 U.S.C. § 353(b)(1) provides:

“(b)(1) A drug intended for use by man which—

(A) is a habit-forming drug to which section 352(d) of this title applies; or

(B) because of its toxicity or other potentiality for harmful effect, or the method of its use, or the collateral measures necessary to its use, is not safe for use except under the supervision of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug; or

(C) is limited by an approved application under section 355 of this title to use under the professional supervision of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug,

shall be dispensed only (i) upon a written prescription of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug, or (ii) upon an oral prescription of such practitioner which is reduced promptly to writing and filed by the pharmacist, or (iii) by refilling any such written or oral prescription if such refilling is authorized by the prescriber either in the original prescription or by oral order which is reduced promptly to writing and filed by the pharmacist. The act of dispensing a drug contrary to the provisions of this paragraph shall be deemed to be an act which results in the drug being misbranded while held for sale.”

Federal regulation of drug status is exercised pursuant to labeling statutes, so that a drug which is required to bear a label warning against dispensing without a prescription cannot be lawfully sold without prescription without being in violation of the branding statutes.

2 . Idaho Board of Pharmacy regulation No. 18-669-181 provides:

“ ‘LEGEND DRUGS.’ A legend drug is one which contains on its immediate, original container, the legend ‘Caution: Federal Law Prohibits Dispensing Without Prescription.’ This is a drug intended for use by ma[n] or animal, which is a habit-forming drug or one subject to abuse as determined by the secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, or a drug, because of its toxicity or other potentiality for harmful effect or the method of its use or the collateral measures necessary to its use, is not safe for use except under the supervision of a practitioner licensed by the law to administer such drug or a drug which is limited by an approved application to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, to use under the professional supervision of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug, and shall be dispensed only upon a written prescription of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug, or upon an oral prescription of such practitioner which is reduced promptly to writing and filed by the pharmacist, or by refilling any such written or oral prescription if such refilling is authorized by the prescriber, either in the original prescription or by oral order which is reduced promptly to writing and filed by the Pharmacist. The act of dispensing a drug contrary to the provisions of this paragraph shall be deemed to be an act in violation of the rules and regulations of the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy and of the Pharmacy Act of the State of Idaho.”

3 . The National Drug Code and the Manufacturer’s Instructions both designate prednisolone as a prescription drug. The Court was unable to locate a copy of the 1969 Physicians Desk Court Reference, as physicians and hospitals consider that issue to be out of date. However, the 1972 Physicians Desk Reference also lists prednisolone as a prescription drug.

Defendant argues that the state has not demonstrated that prednisolone meets the federal criteria for prescription drugs. 21 U.S.C. § 353(b)(1) provides that prescription status shall attach whenever a drug is not safe for use except under physician supervision because of potential harmful effects. Suffice it to say that the Manufacturer’s Instructions, stipulated into evidence, lists the following adverse reactions: “Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances: Sodium retention. Fluid retention. Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients. Potassium loss. Hypokalemic alkalosis. Hypertension. Musculaskeletal: Muscle weakness. Steroid myopathy. Loss of muscle mass. Osteoporosis. Vertebral compression fractures. Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads. Pathologic fracture of long bones. Gastrointestinal: Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage. Pancreatitis. Abdominal distention. Ulcerative esophagitis. Dermatologic: Impaired wound healing. Thin fragile skin. Petechiae and ecchymoses. Facial erythema. Increased sweating. May suppress reactions to skin tests. Neurological: Convulsions. Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually after treatment. Vertigo. Headache. Endocrine: Menstrual irregularities. Development of Cushingoid state. Suppression of growth in children. Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness. Decreased carbohydrate tolerance. Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus. Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics. Opthalmic: Posterior subcapsular cataracts. Increased intraocular pressure. Glaucoma. Exophalmos. Metabolic: Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism.

4 . There is apparently no comprehensive list in existence which contains a complete rendition of federally designated prescription drugs. Instead, new drug application orders are kept on file at the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C., and to establish conclusively that a drug has officially been designated a prescription drug, the state must obtain a certified copy of the relevant new drug application order for prednisolone.

5 . Assuming, arguendo, that Kellogg’s status as a naturopath is relevant, we note that the stipulation does not establish that he is a naturopath. The only relevant portion of the stipulation states that there is a sign in front of his office indicating that he is a naturopathic physician. It was not stipulated, however, that he is in fact a naturopath.