STAND. COM. REP. NO.3115

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 1842

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1842, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to redefine the scope of pharmaceutical practice to allow pharmacists to provide services in a broader range of settings.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser Permanente, Hawaii Medical Association, Longs Drugs, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and two individuals. The Board of Pharmacy supported the measure with proposed amendments.

This measure recognizes the dynamic nature of the health care environment by authorizing pharmacists to practice outside of pharmacies and acute care hospitals in collaborative agreements with health care professionals, provided the pharmacist has been appropriately trained. This measure will enable pharmacists to provide drug education in more appropriate and confidential settings, reduce the risk of adverse drug reaction through early detection, help contain health care costs through improved medication use and monitoring, and promote positive medication outcomes. This measure does not provide pharmacists with prescriptive authority.

Your Committee has amended this measure to clarify the qualifications for pharmacists who administer drugs or immunizations. Your Committee also made a technical, nonsubstantive amendment.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1842, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1842, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair