CO HB1145

Requires health care practitioners to write "brand medically necessary" or initial a preprinted box with that language instead of "dispense as written" when they determine a patient should not receive a generic substitute drug.

Prohibits pharmacists from accepting vouchers, coupons, or discounts for prescription drugs with available generic alternatives if the practitioner has not indicated the brand name drug is medically necessary and the drug is paid for by an insurance carrier.

Violations of the pharmacist restriction are not subject to penalties under section 12-22-127.

Section 1 of the act takes effect July 1, 2011; remaining provisions take effect August 11, 2010 or upon voter approval if a referendum petition is filed.