STAND. COM. REP. NO. 578-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2113

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2113, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHARMACY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Pharmacist Workforce Assessment Fee and Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to fund and support activities of the College of Pharmacy in strengthening pharmacist workforce assessments and planning efforts.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Pharmacy; University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo; Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing; Hawaii Pharmacists Association; Molokaʻi Drugs, Inc.; KTA Super Stores; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that pharmacists are among the most accessible health care providers, with a doctoral level of expertise and clinical training. Your Committee further finds that these health care providers are underutilized in the State. This measure provides a funding mechanism for the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy to strengthen pharmacist workforce assessments and planning efforts and will support a data-informed, coordinated, and intentional effort to position the profession of pharmacy to help fill existing health care gaps in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2113, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair