Law Continues PDMP, Makes Changes
On June 22, 2021, Governor Jared Polis signed SB21-098 Sunset Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The bill, which takes effect July 1, 2021, continues the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) indefinitely and makes various changes to the PDMP. First, the bill authorizes the State Board of Pharmacy to expand the drugs and substances tracked in the PDMP from only controlled substances to also include other prescription drugs and substances that have potential for abuse, as determined by the rulemaking process, if needed.
Second, the bill allows a coroner to grant permission to a deputy coroner to query the PDMP if certain conditions are met and allows medical examiners, coroners, and deputy coroners to query the PDMP as part of a death investigation in certain cases. Finally, the bill authorizes the State Board of Pharmacy to establish data retention policies for the PDMP and eliminates a requirement that the State Board of Pharmacy seek donations to maintain the PDMP.
Pharmacy Board Evaluating PDMP Expansion
On July 7, 2021, Governor Jared Polis signed HB21-1012 Expand Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The bill, which takes effect September 7, 2021, requires the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy to determine if the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) should be used to track all prescription drugs dispensed in the state. If the Board makes that determination, the bill requires the Board to issue rules, on or before June 1, 2022, to track all prescription drugs on the PDMP. If the Board determines that one or more prescription drugs should not be included on the PDMP, the Board must publicly state the justification for those exclusions during the rulemaking process.
Other Recent Legislation
- HB21-1276: Prevention Of Substance Use Disorders
- SB21-094: Sunset Continue State Board of Pharmacy
- SB21-011: Pharmacist Prescribe Dispense Opiate Antagonist
- SB21-122: Opiate Antagonist Bulk Purchase And Standing Orders
Opioid Guidelines Stakeholder Meeting Aug. 27
The Division of Professions and Occupations hosted a stakeholder meeting to discuss possible updates to the Guidelines for the Safe Prescribing and Dispensing of Opioids on Friday, August 27, 2021, at 10 a.m.
The Division and the state Pharmacy, Medical, Dental, Nursing, Podiatry, Optometry, and Veterinary Boards are seeking public feedback on the Guidelines to identify what, if any, updates are needed. This may include, but is not limited to, possible updates related to prescribing and dispensing opioids to pediatric patients, updates to the resources available to prescribers and dispensers within the Guidelines, and any other updates needed to align the Guidelines with current best practices.
Several additional opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be provided. If you could not attend the Aug. 27 meeting and/or wish to make written comments, you may email your written comments to dora_dpo_opioid_policy@state.co.us.
Rulemaking hearing on Sept. 30
The State Board of Pharmacy voted to initiate rulemaking at its July 15, 2021 meeting on various topics, including Rule 23 that governs the PDMP. The rulemaking hearing will be held Thursday, Sept. 30 at 9 a.m. Click here to register.
Tutorials Available on PDMP Use, Registration
In collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Division of Professions and Occupations hosted four brief PDMP webinars in July and August 2020. These events provided additional information and answered questions on the topics covered in the above tutorials to help licensees and their teams navigate the PDMP account registration process and effectively use the PDMP. Please see the links below to view the recorded webinars.
Quick reference guides for prescribers and delegates were created regarding the PDMP accounts and key features and functions of the PMP AWARxE web portal that may be accessed here.
PDMP Task Force Annual Reports Available
The PDMP Task Force Force Annual Reports submitted to the Legislature annually as mandated in Section 12-280-409 are available on the General Assembly Statutory Reports website. This report examines issues, opportunities, and weaknesses of the program, including how personal information is secured in the program and whether inclusion of personal identifying information in the program and access to that information is necessary. It also makes recommendations to the DORA Executive Director on ways to make the program a more effective tool for practitioners and pharmacists in order to reduce prescription drug misuse in this state.
Colorado Consortium Newsroom
Visit the Newsroom of the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention for recent media stories, reports, press releases, and other items related to the prescription drug abuse epidemic.
PDMP Delegate Training Video
A training video is available to show prescribers and pharmacists how to set up delegate accounts for the PDMP. Any prescriber or pharmacist can create up to three delegate accounts for trained individuals who can check the PDMP on the prescriber or pharmacist's behalf. You can utilize the PDMP more frequently to get the most complete medical history possible.
View the video now or access it via the "New Delegate Training Video!" button on this site's homepage.