Colorado passes law authorizing pharmacist PrEP, PEP prescribing

House Bill 20-1061 has passed the Colorado House and most recently, the Senate. Pending approval by Gov. Jared Polis, the bill will increase patient access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis medications by authorizing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense PrEP or PEP medications.

HB 20-1061 also requires commercial carriers to cover HIV infection prevention drugs prescribed or dispensed by a pharmacist and to provide an adequate consultative fee or adequate dispensing fee (if medical billing is unavailable) equivalent to that provided to a physician or advanced practice nurse.

Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, one of the sponsors of the bill, told Drug Store News, “Fourteen thousand Coloradans live with HIV today. That’s 14,000 people with compromised immune systems, who have increased vulnerability to viruses like COVID-19. Both HIV and COVID-19 disproportionately impact communities of color, which is why this bill is critical to expanding access to preventative medications for those who need it most.”