Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes pharmacists to sell nonprescription syringes, among other provisions.

Highlights:

• Requires a carrier that provides opiate antagonists shall reimburse a hospital for the hospital’s cost of an opiate antagonist if the hospital gives a covered person an opiate antagonist upon discharge from the hospital (Sec. 1).

• Requires a pharmacist who dispenses a prescription order for a prescription drug that is an opioid shall notify the individual about the availability of an opioid antagonist at no cost when it is believed the individual would benefit from the notification (Sec. 2 & 8).

• Authorizes a pharmacy or pharmacist technician to sell nonprescription syringes or needles to any individual (Secs. 3 & 6).

• Authorizes nonprofit organizations with experience operating a clean syringe exchange program or health facility to operate a clean syringe exchange program without prior board approval (Sec. 7).

• Requires each nonprofit organization and health care facility that operates a clean syringe program to annually report to the state department specifying the nonprofit organizations or health facility’s number of syringe access episodes in the previous year and the number of used syringes collected by the nonprofit organization or health facility (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes pharmacists to sell nonprescription syringes, among other provisions.

Highlights:

• Requires a carrier that provides opiate antagonists shall reimburse a hospital for the hospital’s cost of an opiate antagonist if the hospital gives a covered person an opiate antagonist upon discharge from the hospital (Sec. 1).

• Requires a pharmacist who dispenses a prescription order for a prescription drug that is an opioid shall notify the individual about the availability of an opioid antagonist at no cost when it is believed the individual would benefit from the notification (Sec. 2 & 8).

• Authorizes a pharmacy or pharmacist technician to sell nonprescription syringes or needles to any individual (Secs. 3 & 6).

• Authorizes nonprofit organizations with experience operating a clean syringe exchange program or health facility to operate a clean syringe exchange program without prior board approval (Sec. 7).

• Requires each nonprofit organization and health care facility that operates a clean syringe program to annually report to the state department specifying the nonprofit organizations or health facility’s number of syringe access episodes in the previous year and the number of used syringes collected by the nonprofit organization or health facility (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text