The Colorado Retail Council (CRC) submitted a second letter to Gov. Jared Polis requesting that he sign an executive order to waive state pharmacy board and plan sponsor requirements on retail pharmacies that would otherwise prevent them from offering mail, home, or curbside delivery services for non-scheduled and schedule V prescription drugs, including the suspension of mandatory face-to-face patient counseling by pharmacists and any conflicting contract language through the emergency. CRC also requested enhanced access to personal protection equipment (masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer) for the front-line workers at retail stores with direct contact with customers.

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

The Retail Association (CRC) has been partnering with other pharmacy groups aggressively and successfully seeking waivers from Gov. Jared Polis (D) as a result of the declared health emergency.

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

March 30, 2020 is the deadline for all technicians to be certified with the Board of Pharmacy.

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

Colorado’s bill, HB20-1061, legislation that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense PEP and PrEP medications, was amended again. The bill is expected to pass the House this week and to be referred to the Senate for further consideration.

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

Legislative Day at the Capitol in Tuesday, February 18, 2020. 

Also in Colorado... The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) provided an update on the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Benefit 1115 Waiver demonstration application pending at CMS. HCPF is also in the process of pursuing a State Plan Amendment to include residential and inpatient SUD treatment and withdrawal management services in Medicaid. HCPF convened the SUD Implementation Workgroup meeting in mid-January to discuss various issues including utilization management, care coordination, provider enrollment/billing, capacity development, provider training and support, etc., that need to be addressed prior to the introduction in July 2020 of Medicaid coverage for new SUD treatment benefits. For more information, go to the SUD website.

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

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations is hosting an educational webinar about the new state certification requirement for all pharmacy technicians. To register for the February 6th webinar, go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6460030340400548364.  

Also in Colorado… Effective March 30th, the new state law HB19-1242 – Regulate Pharmacy Technicians requires pharmacy technicians obtain a certification from the State Board of Pharmacy. Certification requirements are in Rule 29 on page 199 of the new Rules.

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

HB19-1216 limits the cost sharing of insulin for commercial pay patients to $100 for a 30 days’ supply, effective January1, 2020. The Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Insurance issued emergency rules to address implementation. https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6431ea4066ae863439c487bd4/files/bd896d11-f54b-4f15-b31d-fd2c3ccad71d/Emergency_Regulation_19_E_08_Concerning_Prescription_Insulin_Drug_Cost_Sharing_and_Limitations.pdf 

Also in Colorado… General Assembly convened on January 8th.  

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

The Department of Regulatory Agencies, Board of Pharmacy, adopted several rules http://bnaregs.bna.com/?id=co_15353 effective November 30, 2019 that amend regulations under 3 CCR 719-1 to:

1. add pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to the provisions related to responsibilities of pharmacists;
2. allow pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance drug without an order under certain conditions;
3. adds a labeling requirement for opioids prescribed for outpatient use;
4. requires pharmacists to prescribe and dispense over-the-counter medications according to requirements of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing;
5. removes definitions related to pharmaceutical care, drug therapy management, and practice by protocol and adds requirements for inspections and visitations of telepharmacies; and
6. establishes certification requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Also in Colorado… in an effort to address the opioid epidemic in Colorado, the Colorado Hospital Association has taken the lead forming a new group to launch an initiative called Colorado’s Opioid Solution: Clinicians United to Resolve the Epidemic (CO’s CURE) – https://cha.com/opioid-safety/cos-cure/

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

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Medical Services Division is having a rulemaking hearing on Friday, January 10 on a proposed rule (10 CCR 2505-10, Section 8.800.18.C.1.a) regarding the Rx Review program which allows the program’s members to do a consultation with a pharmacist over the telephone if they live outside of a reasonable travel distance from the consulting pharmacist. Members may submit comments directly to Chris Sykes, Medical Services Board Coordinator.

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