Georgia CommonsSB 195: Pharmacies; pharmacists are authorized to dispense preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis under certain conditions; provide
Last action May 5, 2026 · Effective Date 2026-07-01
Senate Bill 195 would let trained Georgia pharmacists dispense HIV prevention medications, known as PrEP and PEP, directly to patients without a doctor's individual prescription, under specific safety and reporting rules.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
Currently, patients generally need a prescription from a physician to obtain preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), medications that prevent HIV infection before or after potential exposure. This bill changes Georgia pharmacy law (O.C.G.A. Title 26) and medical practice law (O.C.G.A. Title 43) to let pharmacists dispense and administer these drugs themselves, including long-acting injectable versions, once they complete a training program approved by the State Board of Pharmacy by January 1, 2027. To dispense PrEP, a pharmacist must confirm the patient is HIV negative through a recent test, screen for conflicting medications, document the encounter, and notify the patient's primary care doctor or provide referral information. Injectable versions require a formal written agreement between a delegating physician and the pharmacist, covering insurance, recordkeeping, patient privacy, and follow-up care. The bill sets fines up to $5,000 and possible suspension from administering these drugs for pharmacists who violate specific requirements.
What the bill does
- Authorizes pharmacists to dispense or administer PrEP and PEP, HIV prevention drugs, without an individual doctor's prescription for each patient.
- Requires pharmacists to complete a training program approved by the State Board of Pharmacy on these drugs before dispensing them, with approval due by January 1, 2027.
- Sets patient eligibility rules, including a recent HIV negative test result before a pharmacist can dispense PrEP.
- Requires pharmacists to notify a patient's primary care provider or give referral information after dispensing these drugs.
- Creates a formal 'PEP or PrEP protocol agreement' system between physicians and pharmacists for administering long-acting injectable versions, with insurance, documentation, and privacy requirements.
- Establishes fines up to $5,000 and possible suspension from administering these drugs for pharmacists who violate specific rules, such as insurance or agreement requirements.
Who it affects
Licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Georgia, physicians who choose to enter protocol agreements with pharmacists, patients seeking HIV prevention medication, the State Board of Pharmacy, the Department of Public Health, and the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency, which enforces some requirements.
Why it matters
Patients could get HIV prevention medication at a pharmacy without first securing a doctor's appointment and prescription, potentially speeding up access. Pharmacists take on new clinical responsibilities, including testing verification and documentation, with financial penalties if they fail to follow the required safety steps.
Key provisions
- Section 1 adds Code Section 26-4-120, authorizing pharmacists to dispense up to a 90 day supply of PrEP or a 30 day supply of PEP if patients meet HIV testing and screening conditions.
- Section 1 requires pharmacists to complete a training program on pharmacology, contraindications, financial assistance programs, and CDC guidelines before dispensing these drugs.
- Section 1 requires pharmacists to notify a patient's primary care provider or supply a list of other providers for follow-up care.
- Section 2 adds Code Section 43-34-26.2, letting physicians delegate authority to pharmacists via a 'PEP or PrEP protocol agreement' for administering long-acting injectable versions.
- Section 2 requires pharmacists in such agreements to carry at least $250,000 in liability insurance and maintain detailed records of each dose administered.
- Section 2 limits a physician to protocol agreements with no more than ten pharmacists at a time and requires biennial renewal of each agreement.
- Section 2 sets escalating penalties: up to $2,500 for missing insurance or a protocol agreement, up to $500 for failing to notify a primary care provider, and up to $5,000 plus suspension for false affidavits.
- Section 3 repeals any conflicting Georgia laws.
From the bill
“a pharmacist, pursuant to a PEP or PrEP protocol agreement, is authorized to issue a PEP or PrEP order and to dispense and administer preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis pursuant to such PEP or PrEP order”
“A delegating physician may not enter into a PEP or PrEP protocol agreement with more than ten pharmacists at any one time.”
“A pharmacist who administers a long-acting injectable for PEP or PrEP without a PEP or PrEP protocol agreement as required by this Code section may be assessed a fine of up to $2,500.00”
Status timeline
- Effective Date 2026-07-01
- Act 409
- Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
- Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
- Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
- House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
- House Third Readers (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
Show full history (18 actions)
- House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended (Senate)
- Senate Third Read (Senate)
- Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
- Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
- Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
- Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
Votes
- Senate voteMarch 3, 2025
55 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 1 absent)
- House voteFebruary 12, 2026
153 yea, 7 nay (5 not voting, 10 absent)
- Senate voteMarch 25, 2026
45 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 5 absent)
Topics
- HIV prevention
- pharmacy practice
- PrEP and PEP access
- medical licensing
- public health