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In a ceremony at the Capitol this past Tuesday, Governor Nathan Deal signed into law GPhA priority legislation designed to increase the use and effectiveness of the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). The legislation, HB900, was a collaboration between GPhA, GDNA and the Medical Association of Georgia, and was drafted by GDNA director Rick Allen.

The new law, which takes effect July 1, will allow pharmacists and physicians to delegate retrieval & review of PDMP information to “any person licensed, registered or certified” by the Board of Pharmacy or the Medical Composite Board. Under that provision, pharmacists may delegate the checking of PDMP to technicians. In addition, the new law specifically allows communication (related to information found in PDMP) with physicians and/or other pharmacists involved in a patient’s healthcare.

Pictured with the governor at the bill-signing are GPhA President Tommy Whitworth of LaGrange (far right) and Second Vice President Liza Chapman of Dawsonville (second from right). Representatives of the Medical Association of Georgia and the bill’s sponsor, Chairman Sharon Cooper, also attended the signing.