STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1971

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1279

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 1279, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHARMACISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize pharmacists under contract with covered entities under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise the filling or receipt of a prescription via telehealth under certain circumstances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; AARP Hawaiʻi; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Alzheimer's Association - Hawaii; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Psychological Association; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Board of Pharmacy; Pūlama Lānaʻi; Molokaʻi Drugs, Inc.; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that existing law requires a registered pharmacist to be physically present at the site where a prescription is filled or received for distribution to a consumer. Due to a combination of factors, including geographic isolation, the lack of health care professionals, and relatively small populations of rural communities, certain health care organizations are unable to have a registered pharmacist be constantly present at the site.

Your Committee further finds that, under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, certain health care organizations receive discounts on prescription drugs and are required to pass those savings off to consumers. However, for small organizations, it is not cost-effective to employ a registered pharmacist on a full-time basis, which endangers the timely provision of medications to the organization's patients. This measure will provide relief from the physical presence requirement to allow rural health care organizations to properly serve their patients.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1279, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair