Physician dispensing in Georgia enables healthcare providers to prescribe and dispense medications directly to their patients within their own office. This practice has become increasingly popular due to its benefits, such as improved access to medications, greater patient convenience, and enhanced medication adherence. However, physician dispensing in Georgia is governed by specific regulations and requirements that healthcare providers must follow to ensure patient safety and compliance with state laws. Continue reading to explore the detailed rules and regulations that guide physician dispensing practices in Georgia.

In Georgia, licensed practitioners-including dentists, physicians, podiatrists, and veterinarians-are permitted to dispense medications. To do so, they must notify the Georgia Composite Medical Board in writing of their intent to dispense, and it is recommended that they retain a copy of this notification for their records, as there is no confirmation of receipt.

For Physician Assistants, dispensing may be delegated by a supervising physician if it aligns with their approved job description, which must be sanctioned by the Composite Board. Similarly, Nurse Practitioners can have dispensing delegated by their supervising physician, provided it conforms to their nurse protocol.

To access more detailed information about physician dispensing regulations in the state of Georgia, you can browse the Rules and Regulations for the State of Georgia.

At the federal level, the American Medical Association (AMA) endorses physicians' rights to dispense medications and devices in accordance with ethical standards, a stance many states adopt. However, specific regulations differ from state to state.

The dispensing of controlled substances is also subject to additional oversight by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which requires physicians to be registered and comply with federal regulations. Moreover, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) enforces standards for the labeling and packaging of all medications, including those dispensed directly by physicians.

When providers are considering dispensing medications in the state of Georgia, it is important to understand both federal and Georgia state-specific dispensing regulations. Federal guidelines offer a general framework, but state regulations, particularly those established by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy, provide detailed requirements that must be followed.

In Georgia, dispensing controlled substances involves specific record-keeping and inventory requirements to ensure proper management and security. D ispensing physicians must maintain detailed records of all controlled substances received and disposed of, with specific guidelines for handling invoices. Invoices for Schedule II controlled substances must be kept in a separate file, while invoices for Schedule III, IV, and V substances can be filed together if each is stamped with a red "C" for easy identification.

Practitioners are also required to conduct a biennial inventory of all controlled substances, which must be taken on May 1st or two years from the last inventory, during odd-numbered years. Any loss or theft of controlled substances must be reported to the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency (GDNA) within 48 hours. These regulations are designed to ensure the safe and responsible dispensing of controlled substances, maintaining both compliance and security within the state of Georgia.

In the state of Georgia, the labeling requirements for prescription drugs are regulated by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy. This board oversees the standards for medication labeling to ensure that prescriptions are clearly and accurately marked, providing essential information such as drug name, dosage instructions, and usage warnings. Compliance with these labeling requirements is crucial for maintaining safety and efficacy in medication dispensing, and the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy ensures that these regulations are consistently applied across all dispensing practices in the state.

Below is a current list of the labeling requirements for medications dispensed in the state of Georgia.

• Date and identifying serial number;
• Name of patient
• Name of practitioner prescribing;
• Name, address and telephone number of the dispensing practitioner;
• Name of drug and strength;
• Directions for use to the patient;
• The expiration date of the drug; and
• Any other information required by the Drug Enforcement Administration or the Food and Drug Administration.

If you are a Georgia physician and are interested in starting a physician dispensing program in your practice or clinic, reach out to our customer support team today, and we will help you get started.

Please note that MDScripts has provided this information for reference purposes only. Georgia state dispensing regulations are subject to frequent changes, so we recommend consulting an attorney or your state medical or pharmacy board for specific questions or to confirm your eligibility to dispense.