§ 33-24-155 — Reports required to state health officer

(a) As provided by department of health rule and
regulation, a pharmacist shall report in the manner established
through published reporting procedures provided to each licensed
pharmacist, any unusually high volume of any type of
prescription filled, unusual trend in pharmacy visits or unusual
trend in nonprescription medication sales that the pharmacist
has reason to believe is related to a public health emergency.
(b) Pursuant to department of health rule and regulation,
there may be a review of medical records by the state health
officer, his designee or their designated health care
representative who shall be under the supervision of the state
health officer or his designee to confirm diagnosis, investigate
causes or identify other cases of disease conditions in a
region, community or workplace in the state to determine if
proper measures have been taken to protect the public health and
safety. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the review
of records during a public health emergency or disease outbreak
may occur without patient consent, but shall be kept
confidential and shall be restricted to information necessary
for the control, investigation and prevention of any disease
condition dangerous to the public health. Any person who
receives medical information under this subsection shall not
disclose that information for any other purpose than the
investigation and any disease control effort. Any violation of
this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for
not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both.