Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.R. No. 32, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge pharmaceutical companies doing business in the State to develop a consumer-friendly unified system of medication assistance for the needy.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health (DOH), Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii Pharmacists Association, and Advocates for Consumer Rights. Comments on the measure were presented by an individual.

Your Committee finds that medication assistance programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies offer free or low-cost prescription drugs to the needy, but that the qualification process discourages many potentially eligible persons from participating in these programs. Therefore, this measure urges pharmaceutical companies in the State to develop a unified medication assistance program that is more readily accessed by those in need, and requests that the DOH oversee this task.

It is your Committee's intent that DOH's responsibility, with respect to a unified medication assistance program, be that of facilitating its development, and that the development of any program should include the identification of an appropriate management entity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 32, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.