Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes prescription drug importation from other countries such as Japan, France, and Australia.

Highlights:

• Expands the drug importation program established by SB 19-005 to include additional foreign suppliers in addition to Canada provided the following conditions are met (Sec. 2): 

•  The U.S. congress amends current U.S. Codes or enacts new legislation to allow states autonomy to decide which foreign supplier they will do business with; 

• A vendor, in consultation with the State Department, has identified the manufacturer, wholesale distributor, or pharmacy as a supplier that satisfies the requirements of the program and that will provide the state with cost savings with their prescriptions; 

• The manufacturer, wholesale distributor, or pharmacy is appropriately licensed or permitted under that nation’s laws and regulations pertaining to the manufacturing, distribution or dispensing of prescription drugs;

• The manufacturer, wholesale distributor or pharmacy is located in a nation that is approved to export prescription drugs into colorado by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services or by another authority that is designated for that purpose by federal law; and 

• The State Department submits evidence to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate and the Health and Insurance Committee of the House of Representatives, to show that the other nations regulations are just as stringent as the U.S.’.

• Requires the following information be submitted as proof and compared to the U.S.’ regulations (Sec. 2):

• The method(s) used to secure supply chains for prescription drugs;

• The method(s) used to manufacture prescription drugs;

• The method(s) used to label prescription drugs; and 

• The method(s) used to track and trace prescription drugs.

• Requires 30 day notice be given to the State Department by the Executive Director of Colorado, before the expansion of the drug importation program to include foreign countries other than Canada (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text