Lawmakers in Colorado are considering a bill — Senate Bill 26-066 — that would restrict pharmacy compounding under the banner of safety and threaten the stability of Colorado’s healthcare system.

This bill claims to target counterfeit drugs or bad actors, but in practice, it would make it harder for licensed pharmacies to provide medications, specifically GLP-1s, that many patients rely on, even when a patient's prescriber has determined they need a compounded preparation to meet their individual medical needs. 

The healthcare system is built for standardized care, not for every real-world need.

Compounding exists because patients' health needs are not one-size-fits-all.

Patients rely on compounded medications when:

• A drug is in shortage or unavailable
• A child needs a liquid or non-standard dose
• A patient can’t tolerate fillers or dyes in commercial products
• Standard therapies fail, including for menopause, thyroid conditions, dermatology, and other chronic needs

When compounding is restricted, patients are not redirected to safer alternatives. In many cases, there are no alternatives.

Instead of targeting illegal online sellers or counterfeit products, SB 26-066 places new requirements for GLP-1s on licensed pharmacies that already operate under federal and state oversight.

SB 26-066 imports manufacturing-style rules into patient-specific pharmacy practice and conditions care on documentation and inspection standards that pharmacies often cannot control. 

The result is fewer pharmacies able to provide care — and fewer options for patients.

Lawmakers should oppose SB 26-066 and focus on enforcing existing laws against illegal drug sales while preserving access to lawful, patient-specific pharmacy compounding.

Patients should not lose personalized care because of paperwork designed for huge drug manufacturers.