Bill > HB223

This bill establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacy workforce development in Hawaii. The legislation creates a new fee structure for pharmacists, wholesale prescription drug distributors, and pharmacy permits, with the collected funds being deposited into a dedicated special fund administered by the University of Hawaii. The fund will support critical activities including maintaining an accurate pharmacist workforce database, providing loan repayment for pharmacists working in medically underserved areas, and offering scholarships to pharmacy students. The bill recognizes that pharmacists are crucial healthcare providers, especially in remote communities, and aims to address healthcare workforce challenges by creating a sustainable funding mechanism to recruit, retain, and support pharmacists across the state. The fund will be financed through legislative appropriations, the new assessment fees, grants, donations, and interest earned on the fund. The legislation also modifies existing licensing regulations to incorporate the new workforce assessment fee, requiring payment for license renewals and stipulating that failure to pay could result in license forfeiture. Ultimately, the bill seeks to proactively address Hawaii's healthcare needs by investing in its pharmacy workforce and improving access to care in underserved areas.

Business and Industry, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=223&year=2025