STAND. COM. REP. NO. 185-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 2531

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2531 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address drug overdose rates in the State by requiring prescribers to consult the state electronic prescription accountability system before issuing a prescription for certain controlled substances.

The Department of Public Safety and Hawaii Medical Service Association supported this measure. Hawaii Medical Association opposed this measure. The Department of Health provided comments.

Your Committee finds that thirty-six states currently have laws in place requiring the use of prescription drug monitoring programs, which have reduced the effects of opioids. Your Committee also notes the concerns raised regarding the severe consequences for physicians in the event that a physician forgets to check the prescription drug monitoring program when writing a prescription.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2531, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2531, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Human Services,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair