Indiana statute
Ind. Code § 35-45-21-5 — Obstruction of delivery of prescription drug
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 21: Offenses Against Public Health, Indiana Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Ind. Code § 35-45-21-5
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Indiana.
Sec. 5. (a) The following definitions apply throughout this section: (1) "Health care provider" refers to a health care provider (as defined in IC 16-18-2-163 (a), IC 16-18-2-163 (b), or IC 16-18-2-163 (c)) or a qualified medication aide as described in IC 16-27.5-4 . (2) "Licensed health professional" has the meaning set forth in IC 25-23-1-27.1 . (3) "Practitioner" has the meaning set forth in IC 16-42-19-5 . However, the term does not include a veterinarian. (4) "Prescription drug" has the meaning set forth in IC 35-48-1.1-35 . (b) A person who knowingly or intentionally physically interrupts, obstructs, or alters the delivery or administration of a prescription drug: (1) prescribed or ordered by a practitioner for a person who is a patient of the practitioner; and (2) without the prescription or order of a practitioner; commits interference with medical services, a Class A misdemeanor, except as provided in subsection (c). (c) An offense described in subsection (b) is: (1) a Level 6 felony if the offense results in bodily injury; (2) a Level 5 felony if it is committed by a person who is a licensed health care provider or licensed health professional; (3) a Level 4 felony if it results in serious bodily injury to the patient; and (4) a Level 2 felony if it results in the death of the patient. (d) A person is justified in engaging in conduct otherwise prohibited under this section if the conduct is performed by: (1) a health care provider or licensed health professional who acts in good faith within the scope of the person's practice or employment; or (2) a person who is rendering emergency care at the scene of an emergency or accident in a good faith attempt to avoid or minimize serious bodily injury to the patient.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is obstruction of delivery of prescription drug a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
Obstruction of delivery of prescription drug is a Class A Misdemeanor in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-45-21-5.
Interference with medical services - base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-45-21-5(b))
Which Indiana statute covers obstruction of delivery of prescription drug?
Obstruction of delivery of prescription drug is governed by Ind. Code § 35-45-21-5 (Obstruction of delivery of prescription drug).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.