THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	135
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF PHARMACY TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW THE CURRENT SCOPE OF PRACTICE, LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACISTS AND CONSIDER WHETHER THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND CORRESPONDING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACISTS SHOULD BE ENHANCED.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, there is a need for more access to health care professionals, particularly registered pharmacists, who can safely provide certain health care services and achieve positive health outcomes for patients; and

 

     WHEREAS, pharmacists have more direct access to patients than other health care professionals, which can help resolve public health issues with a minimal impact to the overall health system; and

 

     WHEREAS, advances in technology have changed the delivery of health care over the last thirty years and as a result, the definition of "practice of pharmacy" under existing law is no longer accurate; and

 

     WHEREAS, pharmacy education has also increased over the years, from an apprentice program to a six-year doctorate program that includes education assessment training and a year working as a pharmacist intern; and

 

     WHEREAS, pharmacy education now also includes immunization and smoking cessation training, along with other specialty training, which ensures pharmacists are well prepared to provide appropriate health care services to patients; and

 

     WHEREAS, pharmacists have had a positive impact on public health throughout the State and now immunize more patients than any other health care professional, which has increased the State's immunization rate, thereby reducing disease and morbidity in the overall population; and

 

     WHEREAS, registered pharmacists who receive proper training, working under written protocols, can:

 

     (1)  Provide health care services, such as furnishing Naloxone and Epi-pens;

 

     (2)  Administer immunizations and vaccines for bacterial and viral infections, such as influenza, pneumonia, and Hepatitis A;

 

     (3)  Furnish and counsel patients on self-administered hormonal contraception and smoking cessation replacement therapy; and

 

     (4)  Order and perform laboratory tests to determine appropriate medication use and outcomes; and

 

     WHEREAS, the disciplines of medicine, nursing, and naturopathy are complemented by registered pharmacists, who are an essential part of a primary health care team; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Board of Pharmacy is requested to convene a working group to review the current scope of practice, licensing requirements, and continuing education requirements for pharmacists and consider whether the scope of practice and corresponding licensing requirements for pharmacists should be enhanced; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be composed of the following members:

 

     (1)  The Chairperson of the Board of Pharmacy;

 

     (2)  A representative from the Department of Health designated by the Director of Health;

     (3)  A representative from the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo;

 

     (4)  A representative from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association;

 

     (5)  A representative from the Hawaii Medical Association;

 

     (6)  A representative from the Hawaii Medical Service Association;

 

     (7)  A representative from a retail/chain store pharmacy;

 

     (8)  A representative from a community pharmacy; and

 

     (9)  A representative from a hospital pharmacy; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2019; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Chairperson of the Board of Pharmacy, Director of Health, Dean of the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, President of the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, President of the Hawaii Medical Association, and President of the Hawaii Medical Service Association.

 

 

Report Title: 

Pharmacists; Scope of Practice; Working Group; Board of Pharmacy