To better facilitate e-prescribing and e-prior authorizations, the Department of health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) created a Medicaid prescriber tool to help improve patient health outcomes, reduce administrative burdens, and save money.

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

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) that oversees multiple Boards including the Board of Pharmacy announced a joint stakeholder meeting on October 15^th at 11:30 AM Mountain time to collect feedback so that they can create a list of non-controlled prescription drugs and substances that have a substantial potential for abuse and must be reported to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) when dispensed to a patient. Webinar Registration

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

NACDS submitted a comment letter (View comment letter here) to the Board of Pharmacy recommending they maintain the existing Prescription Drug Monitoring Program rule language requiring reporting of dispensing transaction data "no later than the outlet's next regular business day." 

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

The Division of Professions and Occupations held a Stakeholder meeting to receive feedback on the implementation of Colorado House Bill 21-1276, legislation concerning the prevention of substance use disorders proposed draft rules. 2021-7-23_Joint HB21-1276_Stakeholder_Meeting_Notice_Final.pdf – Google Drive

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

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.