(a) A pharmacist who dispenses a tobacco cessation therapy under this article shall follow the Tobacco Cessation Therapy Protocol, that has been approved by the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medicine, before dispensing the tobacco cessation therapy. The protocol shall include the:
(1) Criteria for identifying individuals eligible to receive the tobacco cessation therapy or other professional services under the protocol, and referral to an appropriate prescriber if the patient is high-risk or therapy is contraindicated;