STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3718

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1659

H.D. 3

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1659, H.D. 3, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize a pharmacy to provide a customized patient medication package to any person upon consent, with a valid prescription, and in compliance with labeling and dispensing requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety.

Your Committee finds that the management of medications for patients, their family and caregivers, and nursing home staff can be complicated due to changes in medications, pill color, sizes, and dosing. Customized patient medication packaging, strip packaging, or prepackaged pills for multiple chronic conditions can lead to improved medication identification, safety, and ease of administration in long-term care facilities or home dispensing for patients and their caregivers. This measure authorizes a pharmacy to provide customized patient medication packages under certain conditions to promote health and safety.

Your Committee has heard the concerns raised in testimony that three new substances were incorporated under the federal Controlled Substances Act and temporarily scheduled in Hawaii in 2019. The newly added substances are powerful illegal opioids. The Legislature must act to make corresponding amendments to existing state law to support the goals of Hawaii's collaborative Opioid Action Plan and enhance the effectiveness of Hawaii's narcotics enforcement efforts. Accordingly, amendments to this measure are necessary to address these concerns.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending section 329-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to add three new substances to the list of Schedule I controlled substances;

(2) Inserting an effective date of upon approval; 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 H.B. No. 1659, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1659, H.D. 3, 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