(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) 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.

(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. 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.

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