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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings all:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Monday, August 19, at 10:00 a.m., the Colorado Pharmacy Board is holding what it calls a stakeholder meeting to discuss rules and regulations to implement various pieces of legislation that have been signed into law. Of particular concern to the blind of Colorado is HB24-1115, a bill signed by Governor Jared Polis on June 3, requiring pharmacies to provide accessible prescription labels for patients who are unable to read or see the standard printed labels.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All of us want accessible prescription labels to be available at every pharmacy where we pick up our medications. Here is the rule language that will be discussed on August 19 along with a host of other provisions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><Begin Excerpt><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3.00.30 Labeling.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in'>c. In addition to complying with all applicable labeling requirements pursuant to section 12-280-124, C.R.S., each prescription drug outlet shall apply to the Board, for its approval, if the prescription drug outlet offers a patient an alternative method to access a prescription drug label other than the methods specified in section 12-280-124(4)(b)(I) to (4)(b)(IV), C.R.S. When applying to the Board for an alternative method, each prescription drug outlet shall demonstrate to the Board that the method to access a prescription drug label is substantially similar to the method of access the patient requested and meets the needs of the patient.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><End Excerpt><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>According to the above language, pharmacies are required to apply to the Colorado Pharmacy Board for its approval only if the prescription drug outlet offers a patient an alternative method that is not explicitly specified in HB24-1115. These include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>1. an electronic label affixed to the prescription drug container that transmits prescription drug label information, directions, and written instructions to a patient's external accessible device, including a patient's compatible prescription drug reader; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>2. a prescription drug reader provided to the patient at no cost;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>3. a prescription drug label in Braille or large print; or<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>4. any other method included in the best practices for access to prescription drug labeling information by the United States Access Board, or its successor organization.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While the <a href="https://www.access-board.gov/rx.html#working-group-recommendations">Best Practices</a> specified by the Access Board include just about every imaginable form of accommodation possible (including an audio playback device that would contain information recorded by the pharmacist), this then gives pharmacies a good deal of discretion here without much in the way of specific regulation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In any event, if you want to attend the August 19 stakeholder meeting, send your browser to <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DH8wW09zQYmPWF71djROLQ?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery">https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DH8wW09zQYmPWF71djROLQ?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery</a> to register to attend the stakeholder meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you want to send in written comments about the importance, to you, of having accessible prescription labels, you can email <a href="mailto:dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.us">dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.us</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Curtis Chong<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>