HI
Hawaii House Bill HCR142

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HCR142

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  
Refer
4/3/24  
Engrossed
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 resolution emphasizes the need to amend state laws that currently require a pharmacist to be physically present for pharmacy operations, which poses a challenge to health centers in rural areas like Lanai. The pilot project has demonstrated success by processing over 5,800 prescriptions, providing quicker access to medications and utilizing 340B pricing benefits for underinsured and uninsured patients. This initiative illustrates the demand for innovative healthcare solutions in sparsely populated regions, showcasing how telehealth models can enhance the health service delivery mechanism.

Summary

HCR142 urges the Governor and the Board of Pharmacy to support the Lanai Community Health Center's telepharmacy pilot project as a means of making prescription drugs more accessible and affordable for vulnerable populations and rural communities in Hawaii. The telepharmacy initiative has been underway since June 2022, where a licensed pharmacist in Maui supervises pharmacy operations at the Lanai Health Center, which lacks a full-time pharmacist due to its small patient base. This project allows the dispensing and filling of prescriptions through real-time audiovisual telecommunications, effectively bridging the gap for residents who would otherwise face delays in accessing medications.

Contention

While the pilot project shows promise, the Board of Pharmacy has raised concerns about the sustainability of telepharmacy under existing statutory frameworks. There are discussions on the necessity of formal legislation to establish a permanent legal basis for telepharmacy practices in Hawaii. Advocates highlight that without legislative support, the successful outcomes achieved through the pilot may not extend beyond its temporary status, underscoring a need for a broader conversation on healthcare service accessibility in rural communities.

Latest HCR142 Activity

Companion Bills

HI HR124

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 HR124

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 HR124

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.