Report Title:

Remote Dispensing Pharmacy; Better Access to Medications

 

Description:

Allows remote dispensing pharmacies to operate on islands without a pharmacy, provide medications to patients with health insurance, and dispense controlled substances.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

655

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to remote dispensing pharmacies.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that many individuals living in underserved or remote areas need improved access to medications and pharmacy services.  Access to medications and pharmacy services is also critical for individuals who are privately insured and who reside on islands where there are no pharmacies.  Without access to an on-island pharmacy, individuals face tremendous barriers to obtaining basic, much-needed medications.

     The purpose of this Act is to permit residents on islands where there are no pharmacies to have access to a remote dispensing pharmacy for the purpose of obtaining medications regardless of the type of medical insurance they may have.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 461, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§461-     Remote dispensing pharmacy; islands without a pharmacy.  (a)  Notwithstanding section 461-10.5, a remote dispensing pharmacy may be established on an island without a pharmacy and may:

(1)  Provide medications to patients with health insurance coverage; and

     (2)  Dispense controlled substances.

     (b)  A remote dispensing pharmacy established under subsection (a) may continue to operate in the same location if a pharmacy is subsequently established on the same island as the remote dispensing pharmacy."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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