Letters submitted by NACDS and others opposing HB18-1538, legislation that would require pharmacies to post for the public each pharmacy’s drug prices, was killed in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee last week by a surprising 12-1 vote.

Also in Colorado…HB 18-1284, The Patient Drug Cost Savings Act, passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and was signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper (D). Among its various provisions, the newly enacted law states a carrier or PBM acting on behalf of the carrier shall not prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from providing a covered person with information about the amount of the covered person’s cost share for the covered person’s prescription drug and the clinical efficacy of a more affordable alternative drug among its various provisions.

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

In advance of the Board of Pharmacy’s April 17 stakeholder meeting on proposed draft rules on perpetual inventory, NACDS provided detailed comments that the proposal is too broad.

Also in Colorado…HB 18-1279, legislation chain pharmacies support that would mandate e-prescribing, passed the House on April 17 by a close 33-30 vote. However, the bill failed to advance and died in the Senate State,Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on April 25.

Also in Colorado…On Friday, May 11, the Department of Health Care Financing and Policy will hold a hearing on a proposed rule that will increase the durable medical equipment (DME) encounter rate by 1.402%.

Also in Colorado…Working with our in-state partners, NACDS is opposing HB18-1538, legislation that would require pharmacies to post for the public each pharmacy’s drug prices promptly at the pharmacy and on the pharmacy’s website, including the date of the price change. The Board of Pharmacy is required to establish rules on price disclosures by pharmacies. Most concerning is that if the Board determines that a pharmacy does not comply with the requirements, this constitutes unprofessional conduct and the pharmacy/pharmacist may be subject to disciplinary action. The bill is scheduled to be heard on April 26 in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee.

Also in Colorado…Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signed into law HB 18-1112, legislation requiring pharmacists be paid for healthcare services in professional shortage areas.

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

HB 18-1279, mandatory e-prescribing legislation NACDS and a broad coalition support, was heard in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee on March 29.

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

With support from NACDS, the Colorado Retail Council’s chain drug committee hosted a legislative luncheon in the Capitol where chain pharmacists educated lawmakers on the business of pharmacy and our 2018 legislative agenda which includes mandatory e-prescribing legislation. This annual event has proven to be an excellent way to enhance the visibility of chain pharmacies in the Capitol.

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

The Legislature convened its 2018 legislative session on January 10.

In January 22, the Board of Pharmacy will be seeking stakeholder input on the following proposed draft rules to regulate the practice of pharmacy.

• Rule 5.01.40 and 5.01.50—The purpose of these proposed amendments is to address the minimum hourly operations and security requirements for a pharmacy when a pharmacy does not possess prescription drug or controlled substance stocks.
• Rule 6.00.00—The purpose of these proposed amendments is to address drug therapy management and how this practice may correlate with collaborative pharmacy practice.
• Rule 17.00.00 and Appendix A—The purpose of these proposed amendments is to address collaborative pharmacy practice and how this practice may correlate with drug therapy management.
• Rule 20.00.00—The purpose of the proposed amendments is to allow a fulfillment pharmacy to deliver a prescription directly to the patient in lieu of returning the filled prescription to the originating pharmacy for dispensing to the patient of non-controlled substances.

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