Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 41, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to urge pharmaceutical companies doing business in Hawaii develop a more consumer friendly, unified system that can be used by all pharmaceutical companies, physicians, and consumers for free medication.

The Hawaii Pharmacists Association testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Executive Office on Aging (EOA) submitted testimony supporting the intent of this measure.

DOH expressed concern that if DOH or any other government agency attempted to manage or coordinate charitable contributions of pharmaceuticals, pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies may stop donating pharmaceuticals.

Your Committee finds that prescription medication assistance programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies provide medications for the needy at reduced prices or free of charge. Many people do not take advantage of this service due to the time consuming process required for service.

Although your Committee realizes that people would benefit from this measure, your Committee believes that the issue of neurotrauma is urgent and may have a greater impact on the community and the healthcare system.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 41, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 41, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.