Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2087 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to redefine pharmacy to include a wide range of activities.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy, Department of Health, Kaiser Permanente, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Longs Drugs, Hawaii Pharmacists Association, and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawaii Medical Association, and opposing testimony from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and an individual.

Your Committee finds that broadening the scope of practice for pharmacists who are adequately trained and competent to perform tasks such as administering drugs orally, topically, or by injection pursuant to a practitioner's order, initiating or adjusting the drug regimen of a patient pursuant to an order or authorization by the patient's licensed medical doctor and providing consultation, information, or education to patients and health care professionals, will provide better monitoring and treatment for his or her patients.

Your Committee amended this measure by removing from the definition of "practice of pharmacy" the requirement that pharmacy procedures or functions be in concurrence with a health care facility. Nonsubstantive, technical amendments have been made as well.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2087, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2087, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.