STAND. COM. REP. NO. 796

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 540

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 540 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOARD OF PHARMACY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow the Board of Pharmacy to approve pilot and demonstration projects for innovative applications in the practice of pharmacy under certain circumstances.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Walgreen Co., and eight individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that it is important to continuously improve the effectiveness of health care delivery systems, including pharmacies.  Enabling the Board of Pharmacy to conduct pilot and demonstration research projects can accelerate innovation and create opportunities for pharmacists to enhance patient care and safety, reduce barriers, and increase access to pharmaceutical services.

 

     Your Committee has considered the testimony concerning the language in this measure that would require drug take-back programs to be approved by the Board of Pharmacy.  Currently across the country, board approval for drug take-back programs is not required because these programs are already strictly regulated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing language that would have authorized the Board of Pharmacy to approve a project that implements a drug take-back program; and

 

     (2)  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 S.B. No. 540, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 540, 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