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GeorgiaSB 1952025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Pharmacies; pharmacists are authorized to dispense preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis under certain conditions; provide

Sponsored By: Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Nan Orrock (Democrat), Elena Parent (Democrat), Ben Watson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

HealthHealth and Human ServicesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Pharmacists offer HIV prevention with screening

Georgia law lets trained pharmacists provide medicine to prevent HIV before exposure (PrEP) or after exposure (PEP). Oral PrEP supplies range from 30 to 90 days; PEP supplies are limited to 30 days after CDC-required screening. Patients need a qualifying negative HIV test from the past seven days. Accepted tests include antigen/antibody, antibody-only, and FDA-approved rapid fingerstick tests. Without a recent result, the pharmacist can perform a test approved for simplified testing and must verify the result. Pharmacists must check for unsafe medicines and other medical risks, follow CDC guidance or a licensed practitioner's directions, and document services. They must notify the patient's primary care provider or give a provider list when notification is not possible or permission is refused. Long-acting shots require a written doctor-pharmacist agreement. The law does not require insurance coverage or set patient prices.

Pharmacists face fines for shot violations

The State Board of Pharmacy can warn, fine, or restrict pharmacists who break HIV prevention shot rules. Giving shots without a required agreement can bring a fine up to $2,500 and a ban up to one year. Missing required liability insurance can bring a fine up to $2,500. Failing to give primary care information can bring a warning, a fine up to $500, and a ban up to one year. Failing to post agreement proof can bring a warning and a ban up to six months. Failing to submit required affidavit information can bring a fine up to $5,000 and a ban on giving shots. These penalties are additional to other applicable sanctions; the Board and Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency can inspect sites and records.

Doctors gain protection but face limits

A doctor can have HIV prevention agreements with no more than 10 pharmacists at once. Doctors cannot sign with a pharmacist who employs them or when both work for the same pharmacy. Health plans, hospitals, insurers, and similar groups cannot require doctors, pharmacists, or nurses to sign agreements to participate or get paid. Doctors who follow the agreement rules receive protection from criminal or civil liability and discipline for unprofessional conduct. This covers signing the agreement and a pharmacist's actions or failures under it, but does not change employer liability.

Pharmacists gain shot authority with safeguards

Pharmacists can prescribe and give long-acting HIV prevention shots through written agreements with actively practicing doctors who live in Georgia. Before providing PrEP or PEP, pharmacists must complete accredited training approved by the State Board of Pharmacy. The Board must approve the program by January 1, 2027; training covers medicines, unsafe drug combinations, financial assistance, and federal guidance. Pharmacists giving shots also need current basic life support certification and at least $250,000 in liability coverage, including employer coverage. Agreements must cover doctor contacts, immediate consultation, backup coverage, patient screening, medical history, and verification of an exam within the past year. Patients must receive current medicine information and state materials stressing primary care follow-up. Each dose requires records of the pharmacist, medicine and lot, patient details, date, injection site, signed consent, and adverse events. Pharmacists must try to notify the primary care provider within 72 hours; patients without one or refusing notice receive a provider list. Shots must be given in a private space, not a vehicle, followed by at least 15 minutes of observation. Agreements must address adverse events and safe disposal of needles and contaminated supplies. Agreements, notarized affidavits, and insurance proof must be kept on-site for inspection; insurance proof also goes to the doctor. Agreement proof must be posted, and agreements expire unless renewed and updated as needed every two years. Only interns or qualified technicians can give delegated shots under direct pharmacist supervision; technicians need express doctor approval in the agreement. The Board can require document filing and issue a standard agreement form. These rules do not change the specified hospital, doctor's office, nursing home, or state-designated facility activities outside this framework.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Chuck Hufstetler

    Republican • Senate

  • Kay Kirkpatrick

    Republican • Senate

  • Nan Orrock

    Democrat • Senate

  • Elena Parent

    Democrat • Senate

  • Ben Watson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mark Newton

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 255 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 6

House vote • 2/12/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 155 • No: 7 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 55 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/5/2026Senate

  3. Act 409

    5/5/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    3/25/2026Senate

  6. House Third Readers

    2/12/2026House

  7. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/12/2026House

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    1/29/2026House

  9. House Withdrawn, Recommitted

    4/4/2025House

  10. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/20/2025House

  11. House Second Readers

    3/6/2025House

  12. House First Readers

    3/4/2025House

  13. Senate Third Read

    3/3/2025Senate

  14. Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended

    3/3/2025Senate

  15. Senate Read Second Time

    2/27/2025Senate

  16. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/26/2025Senate

  17. Senate Read and Referred

    2/19/2025Senate

  18. Senate Hopper

    2/18/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 195/AP* (v9)

    PDF

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