HI
Hawaii House Bill HR124

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR124

Introduced
3/8/24  
Refer
3/14/24  
Introduced
3/8/24  
Report Pass
3/28/24  
Refer
3/14/24  
Report Pass
3/28/24  

Caption

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.

Impact

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.

Summary

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.

Contention

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.

Latest HR124 Activity

Companion Bills

HI HCR142

Same As 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.

Previously Filed As

HI HCR142

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.

HI HCR186

Urging The Governor, Department Of Human Services, And Department Of Health To Explore Avenues To Ensure Continued Access To Affordable Medications For The State's Underserved Populations Under The 340b Drug Pricing Program And Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation And Relevant Federal Agencies To Monitor Pharmaceutical Companies And Take Appropriate Actions To Protect The Integrity Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program.

HI HR166

Urging The Governor, Department Of Human Services, And Department Of Health To Explore Avenues To Ensure Continued Access To Affordable Medications For The State's Underserved Populations Under The 340b Drug Pricing Program And Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation And Relevant Federal Agencies To Monitor Pharmaceutical Companies And Take Appropriate Actions To Protect The Integrity Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program.

HI SCR81

Urging The Governor To Ensure That Relevant State Agencies, Including The Department Of Health And Department Of Human Services, Collaborate To Explore Avenues To Ensure Continued Access To Affordable Medications For The State's Underserved Populations Under The 340b Drug Pricing Program And Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation And Relevant Federal Agencies To Monitor Pharmaceutical Companies And Take Appropriate Actions To Protect The Integrity Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program.

HI SR67

Urging The Governor To Ensure That Relevant State Agencies, Including The Department Of Health And Department Of Human Services, Collaborate To Explore Avenues To Ensure Continued Access To Affordable Medications For The State's Underserved Populations Under The 340b Drug Pricing Program And Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation And Relevant Federal Agencies To Monitor Pharmaceutical Companies And Take Appropriate Actions To Protect The Integrity Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program.

HI HB2561

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy and the regulation of certain prescription drugs, prescription drug prescribers and dispensers, and colleges of pharmacy; authorizing a reduction in fees.

HI SCR7

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Improve Access Of Thebus In Oahu's Rural Communities.

HI SB1633

Relating to the supervision of pharmacist-interns, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees by a pharmacist and the provision of pharmacy services through a telepharmacy system; establishing a remote dispensing site license.

HI SR5

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Improve Access Of Thebus In Oahu's Rural Communities.

HI SB0003

Health: pharmaceuticals; prescription drug cost and affordability review act; create. Creates new act.

Similar Bills

HI HCR142

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.

CO SB173

Telepharmacy Criteria Remove Location Restriction

CA AB401

Pharmacy: remote dispensing site pharmacy: telepharmacy: shared clinic office space.

TX SB1633

Relating to the supervision of pharmacist-interns, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees by a pharmacist and the provision of pharmacy services through a telepharmacy system; establishing a remote dispensing site license.

TX HB3886

Relating to the provision of pharmacy services through a telepharmacy system; establishing a remote dispensing site license.

CO HB1222

Preserving Access to Rural Independent Pharmacies

CA AB690

Pharmacies: relocation: remote dispensing site pharmacy: pharmacy technician: qualifications.

KS HB2244

Modifying the composition of the board of pharmacy and prohibiting the board of pharmacy from adopting rules and regulations that would limit or condition the use of telepharmacy.