After 16 months under a declared state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on July 8th Gov. Jared Polis (D) ended all emergency orders connected with the pandemic.

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

NACDS, the Colorado Retail Council, and the Colorado Pharmacy Society supported legislation that would modernize pharmacists’ scope of practice to include prescribing medications for self-limiting conditions, ordering and analyzing lab tests, and performing minor physical evaluations, which passed both housed and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) on June 11th to sign into law. (SB21-094)  

Also in Colorado, NACDS participated in the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ (DORAs’) Division of Professions and Occupations State Board of Pharmacy stakeholder meeting this week. DORA received input on potential rule changes on implementing several bills passed by the legislature including pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ scope expansion that Gov. Jared Polis (D) is expected to sign into law, and clean-up and clarification of existing rules. NACDS will engage with the Board of Pharmacy as the formal rulemaking process moves forward later this summer.

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

The State Board of Pharmacy announced a virtual Stakeholder Meeting on June 14^th to receive feedback on Notice, Draft Rules, SB21-011, SB21-094, SB21-122, and SB21-123.

• Potential rule changes related to Colorado Senate Bill 21-011 (Concerning responsibilities of a pharmacist related to opiate antagonists);
• Potential rule changes related to Colorado Senate Bill 21-094 (Concerning implementing recommendations contained in the 2020 sunset report that make changes regarding the practice of professions regulated by the Board);
• Implementing Colorado Senate Bill 21-122 (Concerning the bulk purchase of opiate antagonists according to a standing order);
• Implementing Colorado Senate Bill 21-123 (Concerning expanding the Canadian prescription drug importation program); and
• New and revised rules are recommended by the Board and stakeholders to provide clarity and a general cleanup of the rules.

To register in advance, go to Webinar Registration. Written comments should be sent by June 10^th to – dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.us.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy’s Sunset bill  SB21-094, which includes several provisions expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice, therapeutic substitution, prescription adaptation, and ability to order long-acting injectables passed the Senate 35-0. The bill was amended by the House Health and Insurance Committee on a vote of 11-2 on May 12 and now advances to the House Finance Committee.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

On April 24, the Pharmacy Sunset legislation pharmacies support that expands our scope of practice unanimously passed the Senate and is now pending further action in the House where we will push to have it scheduled in committee as soon as possible.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Via an emergency regulation effective February 24, the Division of Insurance amends regulations under 3 CCR 702-4 to specify that carriers must provide coverage for persons undergoing treatment and receiving vaccines for COVID-19.

Also in Colorado, The Division of Insurance amends regulations under 3 CCR 702-4 related to coverage and cost-sharing requirements for the commercial insurance market coverage of COVID-19 claims.  “Section 6 Access to Prescription Drugs During the COVID-19 Emergency” includes language to allow 90-day refills before the scheduled refill date and to prohibit carriers from applying a different cost-sharing amount for early refills. This emergency regulation 21-E-04 was effective March 19.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

After months of promoting making permanent Prep Act guidance allowing pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations, the Board of Pharmacy issued a final rule effective March 17, 2021.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.