Urging The Governor And Board Of Pharmacy To Support The Lanai Community Health Center's Telepharmacy Pilot Demonstration And Research Project As A Method Of Expanding The Accessibility And Affordability Of Prescription Drugs To Vulnerable Populations And Rural Communities Throughout The State.
The telepharmacy pilot project, which began in June 2022, has demonstrated promising results by processing over 5,800 prescriptions for 1,124 patients. It showcases how technology can facilitate faster prescription fill times and lower drug costs through the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. The Board of Pharmacy indicated that although the pilot was authorized, there is a need to amend state law to permanently permit telepharmacy practices—a change that, if enacted, could standardize and enhance service delivery in similar rural healthcare settings throughout Hawaii.
House Resolution 124 (HR124) urges the Governor and the Board of Pharmacy to support the Lanai Community Health Center's (LCHC) telepharmacy pilot project. This initiative seeks to enhance the accessibility and affordability of prescription medications for vulnerable populations and rural communities across Hawaii, particularly on the island of Lanai. The resolution highlights the significant challenges faced by residents of Lanai, given their limited access to full-time pharmaceutical services, which have historically necessitated relying on contract pharmacies located on other islands.
One of the notable points of contention surrounding HR124 is the Board of Pharmacy's assertion on June 15, 2023, that their authority to conduct telepharmacy is not absolute and emphasizes the need for legislative change to authorize telepharmacy permanently. The outcome of this resolution and subsequent legislative action will be crucial in determining the future of telepharmacy in Hawaii, as well as the ability of health centers like LCHC to provide consistent and affordable pharmaceutical care to communities that lack direct access to full pharmacy services.