HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

63

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE legislative reference bureau, WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE Narcotics enforcement division of the department of public safety, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, and THE BOARD OF PHARMACY, 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 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 Legislative Reference Bureau, with the cooperation of the Narcotics Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety, Department of Health, and Board of Pharmacy, is requested to conduct a study examining methods to reduce prescription fraud, mitigate prescription errors, and control costs of drug prescription within the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study:

(1) Thoroughly examine the approaches taken in other jurisdictions;

(2) Describe the possibilities of streamlining existing paper-based prescription systems through technological innovation; and

(3) Consider the implementation of pilot programs;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau 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 Acting Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, Director of Public Safety, Director of Health, and Chairperson of the Board of Pharmacy.

 

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Prescription drug; fraud, expense reduction; study.