STAND. COM. REP. NO. 516

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1279

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1279 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHARMACISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise via telehealth the filling or receipt of a prescription in certain circumstances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, AARP Hawaiʻi, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Alzhemier's Association-Hawaii, American Diabetes Association, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Pharmacy.

Your Committee finds that telepharmacy can expand the accessibility and affordability of prescription drugs to vulnerable populations and rural communities throughout the State. Your Committee further finds that the Lanai Community Health Center's (LCHC's) Tele Pharmacy Pilot Project successfully demonstrated a prototype for other remote communities or areas in the State facing health care provider shortages. Under the Project, a licensed pharmacist located on the island of Maui was able to supervise LCHC staff via telehealth technology with the filling and dispensing of prescriptions to patients at the LCHC campus. This measure expands access to pharmacy services through tele pharmacy for medically underserved populations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1279, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1279, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair