STAND. COM. REP. NO. 736

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 473

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 473, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to exempt drug manufacturers, wholesale prescription drug distributors, and third-party logistics providers of home dialysis drugs, supplies, and devices from the license, registration, and permit requirements for pharmacies, under certain conditions.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Liberty Dialysis-Hawaii.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Pharmacy.

 

     Your Committee finds that patients who need dialysis may have the option to obtain treatment in the comfort of their own home rather than at an outpatient dialysis center.  Home dialysis provides greater scheduling flexibility, fewer food restrictions, and better patient outcomes.  Additionally, home dialysis treatments can also be completed in longer, more frequent sessions that are gentler on the patient.  To provide dialysis patients with an improved quality of life, this measure will promote increased access to care for home dialysis drugs and devices in the State.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 473, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair