STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3199

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1836

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1836, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow registered pharmacists, during a declared state of emergency, to refill prescriptions for up to thirty-days if the practitioner is unavailable or cannot be contacted to authorize the refill and if in the pharmacist's professional judgment, failure to refill the prescription may interrupt the patients' ongoing care and have a significant adverse effect on the patient's well-being.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Pharmacy, Disability and Communication Access Board, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, American Cancer Society Action Network, University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaii Medical Association, and Walgreen Co.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Medical Service Association.

Your Committees find that during a state of emergency, patients may be unable to reach their practitioner for refills of certain medications required for continuity of care. Your Committees also find that abrupt cessation or unplanned interruption of medication may lead to undesirable outcomes, especially for patients with chronic conditions. This measure will ensure that medications for patients are dispensed in a timely manner during a state of emergency by allowing registered pharmacists to refill prescriptions under certain conditions.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1836, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1836, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair