Definitions
| Pharmacy | A licensed place where medicinal drugs are sold and dispensed. |
|---|---|
| Grant recipient | A pharmacy that meets eligibility requirements and is awarded a hardship grant to purchase prescription drug labeling accessibility equipment. |
| Accessible prescription label | Any format of prescription label, including but not limited to electronic labels, Braille, large print, or prescription readers, that comply with U.S. Access Board best practices. |
| Program | The Prescription Accessibility Grant Program is administered by CDPHE. |
Background
The Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 24-1115 in 2024. The bill requires pharmacies to provide a method to access prescription drug label information for patients who notify a pharmacy of difficulty seeing or reading standard printed labels on a prescription drug container. Pharmacies must, upon request, provide patients (or their caretakers), with one of the following at no cost:
- 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.
- A prescription drug label in braille or large print.
- A prescription drug reader.
- 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.
The bill establishes a 28-day grace period for pharmacies to acquire accessibility labeling
equipment after receiving a request from a patient or patient’s caretaker. Pharmacies must make good faith efforts to inform the public that prescription drug label information is available in accessible formats.
Additionally, the bill creates the Prescription Accessibility Grant Program in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to award hardship grants to pharmacies for the acquisition of labeling equipment to comply with the new accessibility requirements.
Program rules
Goals and outcomes
This grant program aims to facilitate prescription accessibility to the visually impaired by awarding hardship grants to pharmacies for purchasing equipment to create accessible prescription labels.
The anticipated outcomes of the grant program are:
- Improved access to prescription drug information for patients with difficulty seeing or reading standard printed labels.
- Reduced financial burden on pharmacies to meet accessibility requirements.
About the Public Feedback Period
From November 7 to December 5, 2024 (29 days), the Prescription Accessibility Grant Program sought public feedback on the draft program rules. This feedback was crucial to ensuring the program’s accessibility, practicality, and goal alignment. We are grateful to all stakeholders who took the time to review the proposed rules and provide valuable input.
Summary of feedback
- During the 29-day feedback period, the program received two responses. One response highlighted appreciation for the program’s intent and one expressed concerns about the reimbursement-based model.
Response to feedback
- We appreciate the thoughtful feedback received and recognize the concerns expressed. Pharmacies experiencing undue financial hardship due to the reimbursement requirement may contact the program team directly. CDPHE will work one-on-one with these pharmacies to explore whether alternative solutions are available.
Updates to the Program Rules
Based on the feedback, the following update will be included in the final program rules:
- Pharmacies experiencing undue financial hardship due to the reimbursement model may contact CDPHE for one-on-one assistance.
- No other changes will be made to the program's reimbursement structure.
- We are grateful for the valuable feedback and look forward to continued collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the program's success.
- If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact Maisey Lyons de Valle (maisey.lyonsdevalle@state.co.us).
About the Grant Opportunity
The Prescription Accessibility Grant Program will distribute approximately $65,000 to grant recipients on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum grant award is $1,500 per grant recipient.
Grant funds must be used to purchase equipment used to create accessible prescription labels.
Eligibility for this funding is as follows:
- Pharmacies registered and based in Colorado.
- Independent pharmacies
- An 'independent pharmacy’ is defined as a prescription drug outlet privately owned by at least one licensed pharmacist with no ownership interest by or affiliation with a chain or publicly owned pharmacy.
- Ineligible entities
- Publicly traded pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS, etc) are not eligible for this funding opportunity.
Application deadline
The deadline to apply is October 1, 2025. However, as grants will be awarded to eligible recipients on a first-come, first-served basis, pharmacies are highly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
About the Grant Application
Following a four-week public feedback period, the application is open and the program will begin reviewing applications and distributing grants.
This is a reimbursement-based grant program. Pharmacies should only apply for reimbursement after purchasing equipment to create accessible prescription labels.
The application is a Google Form, and will collect the following information from applicants:
- Confirmation of eligibility
- Pharmacy information
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Applicant contact information
- Name
- Email address
- Description of and quantity of equipment purchased
- Completed invoice (template available to download from the application)
- Completed W-9 (template available to download from the application)
- Receipt (proof of purchase)
The program will review applications on a rolling basis and award grants to eligible recipients on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pharmacies may submit applications for reimbursement until all funds are exhausted and no later than October 1, 2025.