Concerned about pharmacies’ capacity to provide flu vaccines this fall during a time when the health care system is stressed due to COVID, the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is asking pharmacies to complete a readiness survey by Monday, August 17, 2020. This survey is intended to gather information from pharmacies about their capacity to provide influenza vaccine for the 2020/2021 influenza season.

Also in Colorado. The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Insurance adopted an emergency rule establishing coverage and cost-sharing requirements for claims related to testing and treatment of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The rule also adds requirements for access to prescription drugs during the COVID-19 public health emergency allowing covered persons to obtain refills of up to 90 days of prescription drugs before the scheduled refill date so that covered persons are ensured an adequate supply of medications.  Pursuant to the rule, carriers shall not apply a different cost-sharing amount for an early refill of a prescription. The rule expires on November 15, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DORA), the agency that oversees the state’s Medicaid Fee-for-Service program, Health Colorado First (covers approximately 1.3M lives), announced that they will begin paying pharmacies on the medical benefit side for the administration of 7 adult influenza vaccinations and reimbursement for the cost of the vaccine in mid-August, 2020.

Also in Colorado. In advance of the August 6 Pharmacy Stakeholder meeting on proposed rules that would implement the Statewide Protocol Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of HIV (PEP/PrEP) law (CO20-HB 1061),  NACDS submitted a comment letter to the Board of Pharmacy recommending a one-hour training program for pharmacists that should not be accredited by ACPE. We also recommended changes to the recordkeeping and documentation requirements.

Also in Colorado. August 29, 2020 is the deadline for pharmacy technicians to obtain a certification from the Board of Pharmacy. Details can be found here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

NACDS submitted a letter to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies- Board of Pharmacy requesting a permanent waiver allowing pharmacists to independently order and administer COVID-19 tests, including serology tests, that have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or equivalent regulatory authorization, subject to the disclaimers and limitations required by the FDA, in addition to any CLIA-waived point-of-care tests. NACDS also recommended that pharmacists may delegate the administration of any vaccines and immunizations, including vaccines authorized by the FDA to trained pharmacy interns or pharmacy technicians.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

In a letter submitted on June 19th , NACDS and the Colorado Retailers Association urges Gov. Jared Polis to sign into law HB20-1061, legislation increasing access to care by authorizing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention medication to patients. 

Also in Colorado... NACDS met with the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to provide additional information on statutes and rules related to the modernization of the practice of pharmacy, responding to questions raised regarding the alignment of Colorado state law with the federal Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) and the non-discretionary duties of pharmacy technicians. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

On June 15th, the General Assembly adjourned, its regular session interrupted and cut short by COVID-19. Lawmakers were only in the Capitol for 84 of the 120 days of session.  

Also in Colorado... PEP/PrEP legislation NACDS and other pharmacy groups supported that allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense the medications to prevent HIV, and receive compensation for consultation, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis to sign into law. (HB20-1061)  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Colorado General Assembly reconvened on Tuesday, May 26th with a number of major changes in place at the Capitol to keep legislators safe. 

Also in Colorado... Legislation NACDS supported, HB20-1061, that would allow pharmacists to provide HIV medications to patients, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on May 27th. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy held a stakeholder meeting on Tuesday and Board meeting on Thursday to discuss what temporary rules suspended by Gov. Jared Polis should be permanently suspended by the Board. Issues the Colorado Retail Council and NACDS members promoted included recommending the Board to act on include allowing pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests, including serology tests, that have received Emergency Use Authorization (EAU) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or equivalent regulatory authorization and keeping the definition of pharmacy intern and technician roles at remote pharmacies. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

May 18, 2020 is the tentative date for the Legislature to resume the session that was paused on March 14th. While there are more than 350 bills pending, it is very likely that most will die and the legislators will focus only on COVID issues and the state's budget, which forecasters estimate it to be around a $3.2-4 billion shortfall.  

Also in Colorado. The Department of Public Health and Environment, Prevention Services Division, issued a Final rule repealing regulations regarding the state's Cancer Drug Repository Program, effective May 15, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Jared Polis (D) provided guidelines for Colorado’s reopening after the statewide stay-at-home order expired on April 26th. Retailers will have the option to open May 1,2020, as long as they have social-distancing policies in place. The Governor also directed that workers in critical businesses wear masks or face cloth coverings

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.