Colorado Hypertension Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) - Pharmacy Prescriber and Pharmacist Authority

Sep 1, 2026

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Hypertension Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) in Colorado defines how a prescriber and a pharmacist collaborate to improve medication safety, adherence, and outcomes for chronic disease management. The agreement outlines the legal basis under Colorado Board of Pharmacy regulations, limits and responsibilities, and the ability for pharmacists to initiate, titrate, and monitor therapies using a specific treatment protocol. It also specifies pharmacist competency, licensure and insurance requirements, documentation and communication processes, and required urgent referral pathways for adverse reactions, out-of-scope symptoms, and suicidal ideation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages14

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Policy Statement

Authority

Pharmacist Activities

Prescriber and Pharmacist Interactions

Urgent Communications

Patient and Pharmacist Interactions

Hypertension Collaborative Practice Agreement Developed for Pharmacy Practice in the State of Colorado [Prescriber/Prescriber Group] partnering with [Pharmacist/Pharmacist group] A. Policy Statement A pharmacist is an integral part of the healthcare team, improving medication safety, adherence, and patient outcomes for chronic disease states. Collaborative Practice Agreements improve patient outcomes by allowing pharmacists to titrate, initiate, and monitor medications for chronic disease management. In collaboration, [Prescriber/Prescriber group etc.] and [pharmacist, pharmacist group, etc.] agree to employ this Collaborative Practice Agreement in accordance with Colorado Board of Pharmacy Regulations. Per BOP Regulations “Collaborative pharmacy practice agreement,” or “collaborative practice agreement” (CPA), means a written and signed agreement entered into voluntarily between one or more Colorado-licensed pharmacists and one or more physicians or advanced practice nurses. A CPA grants authority to the pharmacist or pharmacists to provide evidence-based healthcare services to one or more patients pursuant to a specific treatment protocol. Either party may withdraw from an agreement at any time. A pharmacist and prescriber entering into a Collaborative Practice Agreement must follow all rules and regulations as set out in in the State Board of Pharmacy Rules and Regulations 3CCR 719-1, section 17.00.00, Collaborative Pharmacy Practice. This document is to serve as a guideline on collaborative practice for hypertension management; it is not intended to encompass all aspects of therapy management. Clinical judgment and consideration of individual patient characteristics should be included when making decisions regarding patient care. B. Authority Pharmacists participating in collaborative practice will meet minimum competency requirements as outlined in Rule 17.00.30. The pharmacist holds a current license to practice in Colorado; The pharmacist is engaged in the practice of pharmacy; The pharmacist has earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree or completed at least five (5) years of experience as a licensed pharmacist The pharmacist agrees to devote a portion of his or her practice to collaborative pharmacy practice; There is a process in place for the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, and pharmacist to communicate and document changes to the patient’s medical record; and The pharmacist carries adequate professional liability insurance in coverage of at least $1,000,000 per incident and at least $3,000,000 in aggregate. “Prescriber”, for the purpose of this Board Rule 17.00.00, means a physician who is actively and unconditionally licensed by the Colorado Medical Board or an advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority who is actively and unconditionally licensed by the Colorado State Board of Nursing. The prescriber must have an established relationship with the patient or patients who will be served by the pharmacist(s) under the collaborative pharmacy practice agreement. Any Physician Assistant who may wish to participate in collaborative practice must do so under the authority of their supervising physician. The participating pharmacists and prescribers are listed at the end of this document. C. Pharmacist Activities Prescriber and Pharmacist Interactions The prescriber will “refer” a patient for Collaborative Practice services. This “referral” constitutes an “order” per Colorado Rule 17 This referral may come in multiple forms. The following are considered a referral for Collaborative Practice Activities A verbal order from the prescriber or prescriber’s delegate A written order from the prescriber A note in the chart requesting follow up with a pharmacist for CPA activities and sent via [fax, secure message, etc.] to the pharmacist. All CPA visits will be documented via SOAP note and be communicated to the referring provider [available in a shared medical record, faxed, sent via secure messagin

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Colorado Hypertension Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA)?

It establishes collaborative practice between a prescriber and a pharmacist to improve medication safety, adherence, and patient outcomes for hypertension management, including the pharmacist’s ability to titrate, initiate, and monitor medications under a defined protocol.

Who can participate as a prescriber under the CPA in Colorado?

A prescriber may be a physician licensed by the Colorado Medical Board or an advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority licensed by the Colorado Board of Nursing, provided they have an established relationship with the patient(s).

How are CPA visits and medication changes documented and communicated?

All CPA visits are documented using SOAP notes and communicated to the referring provider within 24 hours, and medication changes must be clearly documented. All relevant orders/prescriptions follow accepted medical standards and are signed by the pharmacist.

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Noah