(a) All written prescriptions for dangerous drugs shall be dated as of, and be signed on, the date when issued and shall bear the full name and address of the patient, together with complete directions for administration, and the number of permitted refills. A practitioner may sign a prescription as he would sign a check or a legal document. The prescription shall be written with indelible pencil or indelible ink or typewritten and shall be manually signed by the practitioner. The prescription may be prepared by a secretary or other agent, for the signature of the practitioner, but the prescribing practitioner shall be responsible if the prescription does not conform in all essential respects to state and federal laws and regulations. Any practitioner who shall dispense dangerous drugs shall comply with the provisions of Code Section 16-13-73.

(b) Any practitioner of the healing arts who fails to comply with subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.