Expand Canadian Prescription Drug Import Program

In 2019, the Colorado general assembly enacted, and the governor subsequently signed into law, the Canadian prescription drug importation program (program) in the department of health care policy and financing (department). The department is directed to request approval of the program on or before September 1, 2020, from the United States secretary of health and human services and to implement the program upon receipt of approval. The bill states that the department may expand the program to allow a manufacturer, wholesale distributor, or pharmacy from a nation other than Canada to export prescription drugs into the state under the program if certain conditions are met. If, upon the satisfaction of these conditions, the department decides to expand the program, the executive director of the department shall notify the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, as well as the health and human services committee of the senate and the health and insurance committee of the house of representatives, or any successor committees, of the department's intent to do so. The executive director shall provide the notice at least 30 days before the program is expanded, and the notice may include any recommendations of the department for legislation to amend the program to reflect its expansion. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)