§ 26-4-81 - (For effective date, see note.) Substitution of generic drugs for brand name drugs - Georgia Statutes

O.C.G.A. 26-4-81 (2010)
26-4-81. (For effective date, see note.) Substitution of generic drugs for brand name drugs

(a) In accordance with this Code section, a pharmacist may substitute a drug with the same generic name in the same strength, quantity, dose, and dosage form as the prescribed brand name drug product which is, in the pharmacist's reasonable professional opinion, pharmaceutically equivalent.

(b) If a practitioner of the healing arts prescribes a drug by its generic name, the pharmacist shall dispense the lowest retail priced drug product which is in stock and which is, in the pharmacist's reasonable professional opinion, pharmaceutically equivalent.

(c) Substitutions as provided for in subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section are authorized for the express purpose of making available to the consumer the lowest retail priced drug product which is in stock and which is, in the pharmacist's reasonable professional opinion, both therapeutically equivalent and pharmaceutically equivalent.
(d) (For effective date, see note.) (1) Whenever a substitution is made, the pharmacist shall record on the original prescription the fact that there has been a substitution and the identity of the dispensed drug product and its manufacturer. Such prescription shall be made available for inspection by the board or its representative in accordance with the rules of the board.

(2) If a pharmacist substitutes a generic drug product for a brand name prescribed drug product when dispensing a prescribed medication, the brand name and the generic name of the drug product, with an explanation of "generic for (insert name of brand name prescribed drug product)" or similar language to indicate substitution has occurred, must appear on the prescription label and be affixed to the container or an auxiliary label, unless the prescribing practitioner indicated that the name of the drug may not appear upon the prescription label; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not apply to medication dispensed for in-patient hospital services or to medications in specialty packaging for dosing purposes as defined by the board.

(e) The substitution of any drug by a registered pharmacist pursuant to this Code section does not constitute the practice of medicine.

(f) A patient for whom a prescription drug order is intended may instruct a pharmacist not to substitute a generic name drug in lieu of a brand name drug.

(g) A practitioner of the healing arts may instruct the pharmacist not to substitute a generic name drug in lieu of a brand name drug by including the words "brand necessary" in the body of the prescription. When a prescription is a hard copy prescription drug order, such indication of brand necessary must be in the practitioner's own handwriting and shall not be printed, applied by rubber stamp, or any such similar means. When the prescription is an electronic prescription drug order, the words "brand necessary" are not required to be in the practitioner's own handwriting and may be included on the prescription in any manner or by any method. When a practitioner has designated "brand necessary" on an electronic prescription drug order, a generic drug shall not be substituted without the practitioner's express consent, which shall be documented by the pharmacist on the prescription and by the practitioner in the patient's medical record.