Statewide Protocols (SWPs)

In Colorado, Senate Bill 16-135 and House Bill 18-1313 together allow for the provision of health care services by pharmacists to increase public health care access. CPS was instrumental in passing the authorizing laws to allow SWPs and has worked to implement them as well. SWPs are formed and approved collaboratively among the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Boards of Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. The two approved SWPs in Colorado are:

• Hormonal Contraception
• Smoking Cessation
• HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

 Any entity can propose a new statewide protocol for public health care services via a SWP by contacting the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy.

The most current protocols can be found on the State Board of Pharmacy website here. 

PrEP and PEP (effective November 2020)

• Protocol - Rule 17 Appendix C (COMING SOON)
• State Board of Pharmacy Rules – Rule 17
• PrEP/PEP Law (HB 20-1061)

COMPREHENSIVE PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PREP) AND POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP) EDUCATION FOR PHARMACISTS

The University of Colorado has launched the “Comprehensive Contraceptive Education and Certification for the Colorado Pharmacist” training program, an ACPE accredited educational training program.

CPS endorses this on-demand program and recommends it for all Colorado Pharmacists. 

Access Training

Additional Resources

• CDC PrEP guidelines
  
• CDC PEP guidelines
• USPTF recommendations
  
• Pharmacist-Delivered PrEP/PEP Acceptability Study (California)

Hormonal Contraception (effective March 2017)

• Protocol – Rule 17 Appendix A 
• State Board of Pharmacy Rules – Rule 17
  
  

Comprehensive Contraceptive Education and Certification for the Colorado Pharmacist

The University of Colorado has launched the “Comprehensive Contraceptive Education and Certification for the Colorado Pharmacist” training program, an ACPE accredited educational training program in partnership with the Oregon State University.

CPS endorses this on-demand program and recommends it for all Colorado Pharmacists.

Access Training

Tools

• Standard Procedures Algorithm
• Self-screening Questionnaire
• Summary Chart U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use
• Pharmacist Referral and Visit Summary

Additional Resources

• U.S. MEC for Contraceptive Use, 2016
• Summary Chart of the U.S. MEC
• U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2016
• Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods Chart
• ACOG Well-Woman Recommendations
• JCPP Pharmacists' Patient Care Process
• Colorado Medicaid Providers 
• Family Planning Clinics
• Find a Pharmacy that offers Contraception Services

Smoking Cessation (effective March 2017)

• Protocol - Rule 17 Appendix B
• State Board of Pharmacy Rules - Rule 17

Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Education for the Colorado Pharmacist

The University of Colorado has launched the “Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Education for the Colorado Pharmacist” training program, an ACPE accredited educational training program in partnership with the Oregon State University. 

CPS endorses this on-demand program and recommends it for all Colorado Pharmacists.

Access Training

Additional Resources

• Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Provider Resources 
• Tobacco Free CO Provider Resources   
• AHRQ Treating Tobacco Use & Dependence: 2008 Update - Clinical Practice Guideline 
• CDC Smoking & Tobacco Use Resources for Pharmacists
• Rocky Mountain Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification (RMTTS-C)        
• University of Colorado Behavioral Health & Wellness Program Resources 
• UCSF Rx for Change: Clinician-Assisted Tobacco Cessation 
• JCPP Pharmacists' Patient Care Process 
• Smokefree.gov (National Cancer Institute)
• Colorado Quitline Provider Guide  

Other Statewide Protocol Resources 

• CMS Letter to Support CPA and SWP
• Pharmacist Statewide Protocols and Prescriptive Authority - National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations
• Webinar: Emerging Pharmacy Practice Opportunities in Colorado – Statewide Protocols and Collaborative Practice Agreements

• SOP Communications (October 2020): Pharmacists to prescribe, administer HIV prevention therapy in Colorado
• The Body (September 2020): Pharmacies Grapple With Red Tape as States Try to Allow Pharmacists to Prescribe PrEP
• Fox 31 Denver (September 2018): CU Smoking Cessation Aircheck: An Easier Way to Quit Smoking
• The Colorado Sun (September 2018): As with birth control, Colorado makes anti-smoking drugs available at pharmacies — no doctor visit required
• Pharmacy Today (July 2017): States at work on building pharmacists’ authority to prescribe hormonal contraceptives
• Denver Post: Access to Birth Control Widens as Colorado Pharmacists Prepare to Prescribe Oral Contraceptives
• 9News: Colorado to Allow Pharmacists to Prescribe Birth Control
• Pharmacy Today: Policy 101 – Statewide Protocols Increase Patient Access to Public Health Services