HCR63

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	63
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

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HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO CONDUCT A STUDY EXAMINING METHODS TO REDUCE PRESCRIPTION FRAUD, MITIGATE PRESCRIPTION ERRORS, AND CONTROL COSTS FOR DRUG PRESCRIPTION WITHIN THE STATE.

 

 

WHEREAS, prescription drugs represent the fastest growing segment of healthcare expenses; and

WHEREAS, fraud and the diversion of prescription drugs are also growing problems facing narcotics enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, thousands of medical errors resulting from illegible prescriptions and like-sounding drugs occur each year; and

WHEREAS, medical professionals must spend a significant portion of their time confirming and verifying the validity of prescriptions that are illegible, like-sounding, or suspected to be fraudulent; and

WHEREAS, the rapid introduction of new drugs and direct-to-consumer marketing has increased the demand for pharmaceuticals in general, and many of these new drugs are more expensive than other comparable products; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the Senate concurring, that the Narcotics Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety, with the cooperation of the Department of Health, is requested to conduct a study examining methods to reduce prescription fraud, mitigate prescription errors, and control costs for drug prescription within the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this study shall:

(1) Include a thorough examination of the approaches taken in other jurisdictions;

(2) Describe the possibilities for technological innovations to streamline existing paper-based prescription systems; and

(3) Consider the implementation of pilot programs;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Department of Public Safety submit the study, along with its findings and recommendations including proposed legislation if necessary, to the Legislature at least 20 days before convening of the Regular Session of 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Public Safety and the Director of Health.

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Prescription drug; fraud, expense reduction; study.