STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2475

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2119

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2119 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OUT-OF-STATE PRESCRIPTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize out-of-state pharmacists to transfer prescription information for the initial fill of a prescription.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy, Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi, Walgreen Co., and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that currently, an out-of-state pharmacy may only transfer prescription information to an in-state pharmacy for refilling purposes, not for initial fills. Your Committee further finds that reducing barriers and facilitating access to prescription medications originating from out-of-state pharmacies will prevent possible delays in treatment relating to access to prescription medication. This measure will benefit a large patient population by helping to decrease wait times, improve customer service, and enhance patient care overall.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2119 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair