STAND. COM. REP. NO. 555

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 513

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 513 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONTRACEPTIVE SUPPLIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Authorize pharmacists to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptive supplies to patients, regardless of a previous prescription from an authorized prescriber; and

     (2)  Specify requirements pharmacists must meet prior to prescribing and dispensing contraceptive supplies.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Pharmacy, University of Hawai‘i System, Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Walgreens Company, Hawaii Public Health Association, Epic Interventions LLC, and eighteen individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Association of University Women – Hawai‘i, American Osteopathic Association, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Medical Service Association and Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that many reproductive health experts have long sought to make prescription contraceptives more readily accessible.  Research indicates women are more likely to use prescription contraceptives and less likely to have unintended pregnancies when barriers are lifted to contraceptive access.

     Your Committee also finds that Hawaii faces a growing primary care provider shortage, particularly in rural areas.  Furthermore, pharmacists are in a unique position to serve as accessible health care providers when they are able to practice at the height of their profession.  According to testimony received by your Committee, all United States accredited colleges of pharmacy prepare student pharmacists in courses related to pharmacology and therapeutic practice, including courses in contraceptive and hormonal pharmacology, reproductive physiology, and women's health.  Pharmacists are also educated on medication assessment and therapeutic recommendations and receive practical experience via clinical rotations.  Accordingly, this measure authorizes pharmacists to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptive supplies to patients, provided certain requirements are met, which will increase access to prescription contraceptive supplies and decrease barriers regarding reproductive health care.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Removing vague language that would have prevented a pharmacist from prescribing contraceptive supplies to a patient who did not provide evidence of a clinical visit for women's health, as this did not take into account the different requirements women could face, depending on age and health history;

     (2)  Clarifying that pharmacists shall be eligible for reimbursement under the Insurance Code and hospital or medical service plan contracts issued by mutual benefit societies for prescribing and dispensing contraceptive supplies; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 513, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 513, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair