Bill > SB195

This bill authorizes pharmacists in Georgia to dispense and administer preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), which are medications used to prevent HIV infection, under specific conditions. To do so, pharmacists must complete an approved training program covering the pharmacology of these drugs, contraindications, financial assistance programs, and relevant federal guidelines, with the training program needing approval by January 1, 2027. For PrEP, pharmacists can dispense a 30 to 90-day supply or administer a long-acting injectable if the patient is HIV-negative (verified by a recent test or a test administered by the pharmacist), does not report taking contraindicated medications, and the pharmacist documents the services provided and notifies the patient's primary care provider or offers a list of healthcare providers for ongoing care. For PEP, pharmacists can dispense a 30-day supply if they determine the patient meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and notify the patient's primary care provider or offer a list of healthcare providers for follow-up care. The bill also establishes requirements for physicians and pharmacists entering into "PEP or PrEP protocol agreements" for the administration of long-acting injectable PEP or PrEP, including provisions for consultation, patient history, documentation, notification of primary care providers, insurance requirements for pharmacists, and limitations on the number of pharmacists a physician can work with. The State Board of Pharmacy is given authority to impose sanctions for non-compliance, such as fines or prohibitions from administering these medications.