Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SB 195: Pharmacies; pharmacists are authorized to dispense preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis under certain conditions; provide
Last action July 1, 2026 · Effective Date
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 the General Assembly's website lists.
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”
Discussed in meetings (6)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Health Committee, January 28, 2026
From 0:41:41 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute allowing trained Georgia pharmacists to provide medicines that prevent HIV before or after exposure under agreements with Georgia-resident physicians. The sponsor said prevention could save Georgia tens of millions of dollars compared with treating infections. The sponsor described training, primary-care notification, in-person visits, observation requirements and penalties for violations. The sponsor said the substitute addressed concerns about out-of-state physicians and large arrangements. One member supported the Georgia-residency requirement and a limit of 10 pharmacists per physician as safeguards for meaningful supervision. Another member asked whether restricting participation to Georgia providers would limit access for people relying on telehealth or affordable online services. The sponsor said local supervision addressed potential side effects and urged passage before considering broader changes. The committee adopted amendments that the sponsor described as clarifying definitions, then approved the substitute as amended by voice vote. No numerical tally was stated. At the meeting’s end, the chair apologized for overlooking two people signed up to speak who appeared to have left.
House Rules Committee, February 2, 2026
From 0:23:21 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said SB 195 would allow pharmacists to provide medication to prevent HIV before or after exposure under a protocol with a Georgia physician, limited to 10 pharmacists per physician. The sponsor said the proposal returned to its original form after other provisions were attached last year. The sponsor described Georgia’s HIV rate as high and said the change could improve health and save tens of millions of dollars, comparing medication costing about $26 with HIV treatment costing $420,000 to $1 million. Asked about the removed provisions, the sponsor was unsure of their legislative status. The sponsor also said the Department of Public Health had issued an emergency order allowing access to post-exposure medication. No calendar action was shown.
House Rules Committee, February 11, 2026
From 0:52:38 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 568
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed SB 195 on Thursday's calendar after a motion and second, with no opposition voiced. There was no substantive discussion.
House floor session, February 12, 2026 (legislative day 18)
From 2:11:54 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 585
Summary by Georgia Commons: The House presenter said SB 195 would let physicians enter agreements with up to 10 trained pharmacists, allowing those pharmacists to assess patients and provide medicines to prevent HIV before or after exposure. The presenter said Georgia had more than 2,500 new HIV diagnoses annually and ranked worst among states on that measure. The presenter said preventive medicine could cost as little as $26 monthly, compared with stated treatment costs of $420,000 to more than $1 million annually for one infection. The presenter argued that pharmacies are often more accessible than physicians. One supporting member welcomed Georgia joining other states, including Alabama, in expanding access. A second supporting member said provider shortages, appointment delays and uneven access made timely pharmacy-based prevention important in both rural and urban communities. That member emphasized physician agreements, training and clinical guidelines. No questions or opposing speeches occurred. The House adopted the committee substitute without objection and passed the bill, 155 to 7.
Senate floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37)
From 7:20:04 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said SB 195 would allow trained pharmacists to dispense medicines used before or after possible HIV exposure under physician protocol agreements. The sponsor described a House change limiting a physician to agreements with ten pharmacists and said unrelated additions had been removed. Supporting expanded access, the sponsor said Georgia's HIV rate was twice the national average, preventive medicine was 99 percent effective and generic prevention cost about $26 monthly. The sponsor estimated HIV treatment costs at $400,000 to $1 million and argued prevention could save substantial public spending. No substantive questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 45 to 0.
Status timeline
- Effective Date
- 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-52)
- Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-32)
- Ben Watson (R, SD-1)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-44)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
- Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
Votes
- Senate voteMarch 3, 2025
55 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 1 excused)
- House voteFebruary 12, 2026
155 yea, 7 nay (5 not voting, 10 excused)
- Senate voteMarch 25, 2026
45 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 5 excused)
Topics
- HIV prevention
- pharmacy practice
- PrEP and PEP access
- medical licensing
- public health