The Georgia Board of Pharmacy has begun accepting applications from independent, licensed pharmacies for authorization to dispense authorized medical marijuana products, and nearly 120 pharmacies reportedly have agreed to provide medication from Botanical Sciences, one of the state’s two licensed production companies, according to a company statement. Under the new regulatory regime, Georgia will become the first state in the nation to offer medical marijuana products at independent pharmacies. More than 400 such pharmacies are in the state.

At the April 13, 2022 Georgia Board of Pharmacy meeting, the Board discussed changes to Chapter 480-36, which governs retail pharmacy remote drug order processing. The Board is considering a change that would require all Georgia pharmacists to hold a license for processing and dispensing prescriptions for patients under a remote order arrangement, regardless of whether the pharmacy holds a Georgia pharmacy facility license. The Board also discussed system requirements for remote processing that would mandate all tasks in the process to be documented with the identity of licensed individuals and the pharmacy that performed the tasks. The Board will present the proposed changes in its May Board of Pharmacy meeting.

This Act protects patients by ensuring transparency in utilization reviews. It requires insurers to make requirements and restrictions for prior authorization available to the general public.