HB712 HD2

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the federal 340B drug pricing program (340B program) is essential for providing health care access to low-income and uninsured populations. The 340B program requires drug manufacturers to offer significant discounts on outpatient medications to eligible nonprofit hospitals and safety net providers, rural hospitals, community health centers, and Native Hawaiian health centers.

The legislature further finds that the 340B program helps stretch limited resources, allowing hospitals to reinvest savings into essential community benefits. These benefits include financial assistance for low-income patients, free wellness visits, screenings, vaccinations, transportation to appointments, health education classes, and workforce development programs. In Hawaii, the 340B program also supports unique services such as integrating Native Hawaiian health practices into patient care.

The legislature also finds that, despite the 340B program's importance, drug manufacturers have consistently tried to undermine the benefits provided by the program by limiting the use of contract pharmacies by 340B covered entities, which has made it particularly difficult for patients living in rural areas of the State. Contract pharmacies play a vital role in ensuring that patients can access medications, especially in rural areas where many hospitals do not have an in-house pharmacy. For example, more than eighty per cent of rural 340B hospitals nationwide rely on contract pharmacies to dispense medication to patients who might otherwise go without essential treatments.

The legislature additionally finds that contract pharmacies are crucial in Hawaii, where geographic barriers make access to health care difficult for many residents. By partnering with pharmacies in those communities, hospitals can ensure that patients in remote areas receive their prescribed medications without the need to travel long distances. This is especially important for those requiring specialty drugs, which are often available only through specific pharmacy channels.

The legislature further finds that the current restrictions imposed by drug manufacturers not only limit a patient's access to affordable medication, but also jeopardize the financial savings that hospitals depend on to provide these critical services. Hospitals use the difference between the 340B discounted drug price and the reimbursement from insurance to reinvest in their operations, expand services, and support underserved communities. Without access to contract pharmacies, hospitals face reduced savings, which could result in cutbacks to essential health care programs.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to preserve the integrity of the 340B drug pricing program by prohibiting drug manufacturers from denying, restricting, or prohibiting the acquisition, shipping, or delivery of a 340B drug to a pharmacy under contract with any 340B covered entity in the State.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

340B Drug Discount Program

§ -1 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

"340B covered entity" means an entity that participates in the federal 340B drug pricing program authorized by title 42 United States Code section 256b (section 340B of the Public Health Service Act).

"340B drug" means a prescription drug that is purchased by a 340B covered entity through the federal 340B drug pricing program authorized by title 42 United States Code section 256b (section 340B of the Public Health Service Act) and is dispensed by a pharmacy.

"Manufacturer" has the same meaning as defined in section 328-112.

"Pharmacy" has the same meaning as defined in section 461‑1.

§ -2 Drug manufacturers; discriminatory acts prohibited. (a) No manufacturer, or any agent or affiliate of a manufacturer, shall deny, restrict, or prohibit, either directly or indirectly, the acquisition of a 340B drug by, or shipping or delivery of a 340B drug to, a pharmacy that is under contract with a 340B covered entity and is authorized under the contract to receive and dispense 340B drugs on behalf of the covered entity unless the receipt is prohibited by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(b) No person other than a 340B covered entity or the attorney general may bring a civil action based upon a violation of this section.

§ -3 Suits by private entities; injunctive relief only. Any 340B covered entity that is injured in its business or property by reason of a violation of section -2 may bring a civil action to enjoin the violation. If a judgment is awarded in favor of the 340B covered entity, the 340B covered entity shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees together with the costs of suit.

§ -4 Attorney general enforcement; remedies. (a) The attorney general may bring a civil action to enjoin a violation of section -2.

(b) Any manufacturer, or any agent or affiliate of a manufacturer, that violates section -2 shall be fined a sum of no less than $500 and no more than $2,500 for each violation. The sum shall be collected in a civil action brought by the attorney general on behalf of the State. The penalties provided in this section are cumulative to the remedies or penalties available under all other laws of the State. Each day that a violation of section -2 occurs shall be a separate violation.

(c) In an action brought by the attorney general, a court may award disgorgement and any other equitable relief that it considers appropriate.

§ -5 Limitation of actions. Any action to enforce a cause of action arising under this chapter shall be barred unless commenced within four years after the cause of action accrues. For the purposes of this section, a cause of action for a continuing violation is deemed to accrue at any time during the period of the violation."

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	712
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII