Colorado House Bill 19-1242: Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians by the State Board of Pharmacy

Earlier this week, a bipartisan bill, House Bill 19-1242 (HB19-1242), Concerning the Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians by the State Board of Pharmacy, was introduced in the in Colorado House of Representatives and assigned to the Health and Insurance Committee.

The Colorado Board of Pharmacy is one of only a handful of states that do not currently regulate or require requiring pharmacy technicians to obtain specific qualifications in order to practice within their state. A recent 2018 Sunrise Review of Pharmacy Technicians uncovered examples of physical harm and illegal activity related to pharmacy technicians and, in order to better protect consumers, recommended pharmacy technicians to obtain specific qualifications in order to practice, but did not go as far as recommending pharmacy technicians be regulated by the state.

HB19-1242, in its current form, would require pharmacy technicians practicing in Colorado on or after June 15, 2020, to obtain certification from the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Board) after providing (1) proof of certification by a board-approved, nationally recognized organization that certifies pharmacy technicians and either (2) a criminal history record check or evidence of a criminal history record check at they were hired as a pharmacy technicians. In addition, to renew their certification, pharmacy technicians must satisfy all continuing education requirements as required by the accrediting organization.

Also, under HB19-1242, all pharmacy technicians who are certified by the Board will be subject to the same discipline by the Board as licensed pharmacists and pharmacy interns for engaging in unprofessional conduct under CRS 12-42.5-123.

The first draft of HB19-1242, does not require all Colorado pharmacy technicians, but specifies that if a pharmacist is supervising three or more pharmacy technicians, a majority of the pharmacy technicians must be certified.

As pharmacists continue to provide more direct patient care services, many states have begun to allow pharmacy technicians to perform tasks previously restricted only to pharmacists, including administering pharmacy-authorized tests or immunizations, communicating with prescribing physicians, or managing inventories. Certified pharmacy technicians, those with the appropriate set of skills and competencies to ensure continued patient safety, are uniquely positioned to assist in freeing up pharmacists from the technical aspects of drug preparation and distribution and allowing them to focus more on direct patient care.