SB 140: Optometrists; doctors of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents to patients under certain conditions; provide

Under current Georgia law, optometrists were not authorized to dispense or sell pharmaceutical agents to patients themselves. This bill changes that by amending the state's pharmacy law (O.C.G.A. § 26-4-130) and optometry law (O.C.G.A. § 43-30-1) to add optometrists to the list of practitioners who can dispense drugs, and to specifically allow doctors of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents, other than controlled substances, that treat diseases and conditions of the eye and eye area for a legitimate medical purpose. To do this, an optometrist must be present and actively involved when the agent is given to a patient, explain proper use to the patient, document the drug's name, strength, quantity, and use in the patient's record, keep retrievable purchase and dispensing records, and follow State Board of Pharmacy rules. The bill also clarifies that this does not expand optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer drugs beyond what the law already allows, and makes related cleanup edits to the law's construction section. It would take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature or becoming law without signature.

• Adds optometrists to the legal definition of 'practitioner' in Georgia's pharmacy law (O.C.G.A. § 26-4-130), alongside dentists, physicians, podiatrists, and veterinarians.
• Authorizes doctors of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents, excluding controlled substances, that relate to treating eye diseases and conditions for a legitimate medical purpose.
• Requires the optometrist to be on premises and actively involved whenever such an agent is dispensed to a patient.
• Requires the optometrist to inform patients on proper use and to document the drug's name, strength, quantity, and use in the patient's chart.
• Requires optometrists to maintain retrievable records of all pharmaceutical agents purchased for administration, dispensing, or sale, and to comply with State Board of Pharmacy rules.
• Clarifies that none of these changes expand an optometrist's authority to prescribe or administer drugs beyond current law.

Doctors of optometry and their patients across Georgia, as well as the State Board of Pharmacy, which sets rules optometrists must follow, and pharmacists and pharmacies covered by the amended pharmacy law that now includes optometrists as practitioners.

Patients getting eye care could now obtain certain treatment-related medications directly from their optometrist's office instead of a separate pharmacy visit, while optometrists take on new recordkeeping and patient-counseling duties and must follow pharmacy board rules to sell these agents.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 26-4-130 to add optometrists licensed under Chapter 30 of Title 43 to the definition of 'practitioner' who can dispense drugs.
• Section 2 revises O.C.G.A. § 43-30-1(a)(2)(H) to authorize optometrists to dispense and sell non-controlled pharmaceutical agents tied to eye disease treatment, subject to five specific conditions on presence, patient counseling, documentation, recordkeeping, and pharmacy board compliance.
• Section 2 also states the change does not expand optometrists' administrative or prescriptive authority beyond current law.
• Section 3 revises O.C.G.A. § 43-30-13(a) to clarify the law does not authorize optometrists to use, dispense, sell, prescribe, or administer drugs except as permitted by law, or to practice medicine or use restricted medical titles.
• Section 4 sets the effective date as upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval.
• Section 5 repeals conflicting laws.

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

• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)Patrocinador principal
• 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. AprobadaVotación: Senado6 de marzo de 2025

   54 a favor, 1 en contra (1 sin votar, 0 ausentes)

   Passage: Senate Vote #197

2. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes31 de marzo de 2025

   166 a favor, 0 en contra (7 sin votar, 7 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #345

3. AprobadaVotación: Senado31 de marzo de 2025

   52 a favor, 0 en contra (1 sin votar, 3 ausentes)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #370

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