SB140: SB140 Optometrists; doctors of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents to patients under certain conditions; provide

Under current Georgia law, optometrists have been barred from dispensing or selling pharmaceutical agents to patients, even drugs related to eye care. Senate Bill 140 changes that by amending Georgia's optometry law (O.C.G.A. § 43-30-1) and pharmacy law (O.C.G.A. § 26-4-130). The bill authorizes a doctor of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents, other than controlled substances, that treat diseases and conditions of the eye and surrounding tissue, as long as the optometrist is on the premises and actively involved, informs the patient how to use the medication, documents the details in the patient's record, keeps retrievable purchase records, and follows State Board of Pharmacy rules. The bill also adds optometrists to the legal definition of a 'practitioner' who can work with pharmacists under Georgia's pharmacy code. It does not expand optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer drugs beyond what the law already allows, and it takes effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it otherwise becomes law.

• Authorizes doctors of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents, other than controlled substances, for treating eye diseases and conditions.
• Requires the optometrist to be physically present and actively involved whenever a pharmaceutical agent is dispensed to a patient.
• Requires the optometrist to document the name, strength, quantity, and appropriate use of each dispensed drug in the patient's record.
• Requires optometrists to keep a retrievable record, manual or electronic, of all pharmaceutical agents purchased for dispensing or sale.
• Adds optometrists to the legal definition of 'practitioner' under Georgia's pharmacy law (O.C.G.A. § 26-4-130), letting them interact with pharmacy rules that apply to other licensed prescribers.
• Clarifies that the change does not expand an optometrist's authority to prescribe or administer drugs beyond current law.

Doctors of optometry and their patients are directly affected, along with the State Board of Pharmacy, which sets the rules optometrists must follow when dispensing drugs. Pharmacists and other licensed practitioners covered by Georgia's pharmacy law are also touched because the definition of 'practitioner' changes.

Patients could get certain eye medications directly from their optometrist's office instead of filling a separate prescription at a pharmacy, potentially speeding up treatment for eye conditions. Optometrists would take on new recordkeeping and compliance duties tied to selling those drugs.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 26-4-130 to add optometrists to the definition of 'practitioner of the healing arts' under the pharmacy code.
• Section 2 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 43-30-1(2)(H) so that, instead of barring dispensing, it authorizes optometrists to dispense and sell non-controlled pharmaceutical agents tied to eye treatment.
• Section 2 lists five conditions optometrists must meet: being present and involved, informing the patient, documenting the drug in the record, keeping purchase records, and complying with State Board of Pharmacy rules.
• Section 2 states the change does not expand an optometrist's administrative or prescriptive authority.
• Section 3 revises the construction clause in O.C.G.A. § 43-30-13(a), which addresses how the optometry chapter interacts with other drug and medical practice laws.
• Section 4 sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without a signature.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date 2025-05-13
2. 2025-05-13Act 194
3. 2025-05-13Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-07Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-03-31Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-03-31House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-03-31House Third Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-20House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)Primary sponsor
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   54 yea, 1 nay (1 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #197

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2025

   166 yea, 0 nay (7 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #345

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 3 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #370

• optometry
• eye care
• pharmacy regulation
• medical licensing
• prescription drugs