Bill > SB1279

This bill authorizes registered pharmacists who are contracted with certain healthcare organizations (known as "covered entities" under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program) to supervise prescription filling and receipt via telehealth under specific circumstances. Specifically, the pharmacist can oversee prescriptions remotely using an interactive telecommunications system when the patient is located at a facility operated by the covered entity, the facility has obtained or applied for a pharmacy license, and the pharmacist is not physically present at that location. The bill defines key terms like "telehealth" as the use of telecommunications services to transmit patient medical information, and "interactive telecommunications system" as referenced in federal regulations. The legislation amends existing pharmacy regulations to allow this limited telehealth supervision, creating an exception to current rules that typically require a pharmacist to be in personal and immediate charge of a pharmacy. This change is intended to improve pharmacy access for patients in medically underserved areas by allowing remote prescription management through advanced communication technologies. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 3000, though this is likely a placeholder date for the actual implementation.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1279&year=2026