STAND. COM. REP. NO.1052

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 1119

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 1119, S.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow health care providers to send electronic prescriptions to drug and medical oxygen dispensers; and

(2) Authorize drug dispensers to keep electronic records.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Department of Health, Kaiser Permanente, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association.

Your Committee finds that electronic prescribing reduces medication errors and prescription fill time by reducing transcription errors. Electronic prescribing systems can also place drug plan formularies and information about drug-to-drug interactions, generic drug alternatives, and the patient's medication history at the prescriber's fingertips. This saves time, allows the prescriber to select the appropriate and least expensive drug, provides for greater formulary compliance, and reduces the cost of health care. The widespread implementation of electronic prescribing is a national health care goal that will significantly improve the way medications are prescribed.

Your Committee has amended this measure by removing the section repealing Act 304, Session Laws of Hawaii 1997. Act 304 is already subject to repeal on June 30, 2001. Other technical, nonsubstantive changes were made for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1119, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1119, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KENNETH T. HIRAKI, Chair