Under what conditions can a pharmacist initiate a new therapy in Colorado?

In Colorado, pharmacists have the authority to initiate new therapy under specific conditions, one of which includes operating under a collaborative practice agreement. This type of agreement allows pharmacists to work collaboratively with healthcare providers, enabling them to assume certain responsibilities, including the initiation of treatment for patients within the framework established by the agreement. This collaborative approach is grounded in a team-based healthcare model that acknowledges the valuable role pharmacists can play in managing patient care.

The other options do not provide the same level of authorization. While a pharmacist might consider patient feedback or requests, these alone do not grant the authority to initiate therapy without an established agreement. Simply having a medication on a formulary also does not justify the initiation of therapy; formal protocols or agreements need to be in place to ensure that the pharmacist is acting within their legal scope of practice and in accordance with the standard of care. Thus, option B correctly reflects the legal and professional standards that guide pharmacists in Colorado regarding the initiation of new therapies.