House approves bill allowing trained pharmacists to dispense PrEP and PEP under physician protocol
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Summary
The House passed Senate Bill 195, enabling pharmacies whose pharmacists enter protocol agreements with physicians and complete training to dispense pre- and post-exposure HIV prevention medications; supporters said the change will expand timely access in areas with provider shortages. Vote: 155–7.
The Georgia House approved Senate Bill 195 to expand access to HIV prevention medications by authorizing trained pharmacists to dispense pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) under physician protocol agreements. Chairman Mark Newton, speaking for the measure, said it leverages pharmacists’ accessibility to reach people who might otherwise experience delays obtaining preventive medication.
"Our pharmacies and pharmacists are often much more approachable and available and accessible than our physicians are," Newton said on the House floor, describing an arrangement in which a physician may enter a protocol agreement with up to 10 pharmacists who complete required training and follow clinical guidelines.
Supporters highlighted Georgia’s high rate of new HIV diagnoses and argued that expanding pharmacist-based access could reduce infections by shortening the time to prevention. Representative Dawson described the bill as an important public-health step and urged unanimous support.
The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill as changed by the House by recorded vote: yays 155, nays 7. Sponsors said the measure keeps clinical standards high by requiring training and physician protocols, while making timely prevention tools available at community pharmacies.
After passage, the bill will continue through the legislative process toward enrollment and transmittal for any further action.
