| Customer verification | Must verify the buyer's license |
|---|---|
| Records to keep | 2 years |
| Separate device or DME distributor license | In some cases |
What Georgia requires before you ship
A wholesaler located in Georgia must ask for and keep a copy of each customer's current license or permit that lets the customer buy or possess drugs. This applies to customers both inside and outside Georgia. It may not ship dangerous drugs or controlled substances to anyone without such a license or permit. Shipping outside the United States needs written Board permission first.
Who counts as an authorized buyer: A person or firm holding a current license or permit that authorizes it to purchase, buy, receive or otherwise possess drugs.
"shall request and maintain a copy of that person or firm's current license or permit" Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 480-7-.03(7)(g)-(h)
Records to keep
Wholesalers must keep inventories and records of all drug receipts and distributions, showing the source, the drug identity and quantity, and the dates. Records, including the customer license copies, must be available for inspection for 2 years after the drugs are disposed of. Records kept off site and not electronic must be produced within 2 working days.
Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 480-7-.03(7)(f), (i)-(j)
Licenses a distributor needs in Georgia
Prescription drug wholesale distributor
Every drug wholesale distributor that distributes into, out of, or within Georgia must be licensed by the Board before distributing prescription drugs, wherever it is located. Each location needs its own license.
Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 480-7-.03(1)
Medical device and DME distributors
Georgia licenses durable medical equipment suppliers that provide DME to consumers and bill a third party. Medicare-enrolled out-of-state DME manufacturers or wholesalers serving Georgia consumers also need this license. Manufacturers and wholesalers that do not sell or rent DME directly to consumers are exempt. The rule does not limit who a wholesaler may sell to.
Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 480-7B-.02
Controlled substances
Anyone who distributes controlled substances in Georgia must hold an annual registration from the State Board of Pharmacy. A Board-licensed firm that is also DEA registered is treated as registered under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act for the same schedules.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 16-13-35; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 480-20-.01
Where to look up a Georgia license
- Pharmacies and pharmacy permits: Georgia State Board of Pharmacy
- Physicians and other practitioners: Georgia Composite Medical Board
- NPI: NPPES NPI Registry
- DEA registrations: DEA Diversion Control Division
Federal rules that apply in every state
- A prescription device "is to be sold only to or on the prescription or other order of such practitioner," or to a business lawfully distributing it (21 CFR 801.109).
- A prescription drug wholesale distributor's trading partners "may be only authorized trading partners," which for a pharmacy means one licensed under state law (21 U.S.C. 360eee-1(c)(3)).
How WorkdID handles Georgia accounts
WorkdID by Workd checks every Georgia customer you sell to against the state's pharmacy and medical boards, the NPI registry, and the DEA, every day. It flags an expiration or a board action within a day of posting, and in Workd order entry it can hold the order until your compliance team clears the account. Every check is saved with the date and the board record, so your Georgia file is ready when someone asks for it.
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