STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1638

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 585

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 585, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REMOTE DISPENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure access to prescription medications in rural and underserved areas of the state by allowing remote dispensing pharmacies (RDP) located on islands without pharmacies, in health maintenance organization facilities, or in areas at least five miles from another pharmacy to:

     (1)  Provide medications to patients with health insurance coverage;

     (2)  Dispense controlled substances; and

     (3)  Continue operating in the same location if a pharmacy is subsequently established on the same island or within five miles of the RDP.

     The Department of Public Safety, Board of Pharmacy, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, Lanai Women's Center, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Straub Lanai Family Health Center, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  Walgreen Co., Americans for Safe Access – Honolulu Chapter, West Oahu Hope for a Cure Foundation, and several concerned individuals submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 585, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair