CO HB1077

Pharmacists may dispense emergency supplies of chronic maintenance drugs without a current prescription starting January 1, 2020, if they cannot obtain authorization from the prescribing provider.

Chronic maintenance drugs are defined as non-opioid drugs or non-controlled substances prescribed for recurring use or as life-saving rescue drugs for chronic conditions.

Pharmacists may dispense emergency supplies only if they have a record of a previous prescription or professionally judge that refusing to dispense will endanger the patient's health or disrupt essential therapy.

Dispensed amounts cannot exceed the most recent prescription or standard package size, and the pharmacist cannot have dispensed the same emergency supply to the patient within the previous 12 months.

Pharmacists, employers, and prescribers are protected from civil liability unless the act or omission constitutes negligence, recklessness, or willful or wanton misconduct; boards must adopt rules establishing procedures and documentation requirements.