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Important Information for Pharmacists The following forms are in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format, which requires the Adobe Acrobat reader for viewing and printing. For more information on Acrobat, or to download a free copy of the Acrobat reader, visit the Adobe web site. Patient
Counseling Information
Dear Licensed
Pharmacists:
The Georgia
Pharmacy Practice Act states in Section 26-4-85(b) that: "Upon receipt of
a prescription drug and following a review of the patient's record, the
pharmacist or the pharmacy intern operating under the direct supervision of
the pharmacist shall personally offer to discuss matters which will
enhance or optimize drug therapy with each patient or caregiver of such
patient. Such discussion shall be in person, whenever
practicable, or by telephone and shall include appropriate elements of patient
counseling, based on the professional judgment of the pharmacist."
Based on information compiled in cases related to consumer complaints, the
Board is aware that this important part of the law is not being adhered to.
In most cases, if the patient or caregiver had been counseled, the misfill of
prescriptions would not have occurred or would not have left the pharmacy.
The Board has
instructed the Special Agents of the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency to
make a concerted effort to determine if pharmacies are in compliance with this
particular section of the law.
Pharmacists
and/or pharmacies will be cited for patient counseling violations and will be
subject to penalties and sanctions.
Please realize
the importance of adhering to the law and making the offer to counsel
patients. Pharmacists will be notified of citations and may be required
to appear before the Board. Should you have any questions related to
this initiative, please send an e-mail to
LDurden@sos.state.ga.us
or
dipatterson@sos.state.ga.us.
Your inquiries will be directed to the Board.
Sincerely,
The Georgia State
Board of Pharmacy
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