Healthcare (Prescription Drugs)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

GM 1139: Informing the Legislature that on May 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1643 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 039).

This bill amends pharmacy laws to establish clearer and fairer rules for auditing pharmacy records. It requires auditors, including the state and insurance companies, to send written notice at least two weeks before an on-site inspection and to specify which prescriptions will be reviewed. The law also clarifies that simple clerical or computer errors do not automatically constitute fraud and cannot be used to impose criminal penalties without proof of intent to deceive. Additionally, it ensures that pharmacies have a minimum of sixty days to respond to audit findings if their contracts do not specify a longer period. These changes aim to standardize audit procedures and protect pharmacies from penalties based on minor mistakes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by clarifying that clerical errors are not fraud and requiring advance notice for pharmacy audits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

GM 1136: Informing the Legislature that on May 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2623 SD2 HD1 CD1 (ACT 036).

This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed SB2623 into law on May 26, 2026, updating the rules for pharmacy licensing. The law amends state statutes to clarify the duties of registered pharmacy technicians, specifying that they can perform certain non-discretionary tasks under a pharmacist's supervision and must be at least eighteen years old to administer vaccinations. It also grants the state pharmacy board expanded authority to inspect wholesale drug distributors, deny licenses to applicants with disciplinary records from other states, and approve pilot research projects for innovative pharmacy practices. Additionally, the bill establishes that all pharmacy licenses and registrations must be renewed every two years by December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill clarifies pharmacy technician duties and expands inspection authority, improving patient access and safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 59: URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

This bill is a House Concurrent Resolution that urges Hawaii's Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on expanding mail-order pharmacy services within the state. The resolution directs the study to examine how mail-order pharmacies could improve medication adherence, reduce costs, enhance access for rural residents and individuals with mobility challenges, and strengthen healthcare resilience during emergencies. The Insurance Commissioner is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, with no new laws being enacted by this measure itself.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges study on expanding mail-order pharmacy services to improve medication adherence, reduce costs, and enhance access for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 126: URGING THE HAWAII STATE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO ISSUE A STATEWIDE ORDER TO ALLOW FOR THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF NEBULIZED BUDESONIDE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION OR CONSULTATION WITH A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

This bill is a House resolution urging the Hawaii State Director of Health to allow the sale and purchase of nebulized budesonide without a prescription. It also requests that the Board of Pharmacy adopt rules ensuring proper labeling and usage instructions are provided to consumers. The resolution cites various international studies and health guidelines supporting the use of budesonide for respiratory conditions, particularly in relation to COVID-19 treatment. The measure does not change any laws directly but asks state health officials to issue an order making the medication and nebulizer machines more accessible to the public.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to improve patient access to respiratory medication by allowing over-the-counter purchase without prescription, aligning with healthcare access improvement indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SCR 109: URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on the potential benefits of expanding mail-order pharmacy services in the state. The bill directly affects state officials and healthcare stakeholders by requesting an examination of how mail-order pharmacies could improve medication access, reduce costs, and support patients in rural areas or with mobility challenges. The study must analyze specific areas including patient adherence, cost savings, access for vulnerable populations, safety of shipping systems, emergency preparedness, and patient choice options. The Insurance Commissioner is required to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by twenty days before the start of the 2027 Regular Session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges study on expanding mail-order pharmacy to improve medication access, reduce costs, and support patients in rural areas or with mobility challenges.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 55: URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

This bill asks the Hawaii Insurance Commissioner to study the potential benefits of expanding mail-order pharmacy services in the state. The study would examine how mail-order pharmacies could improve medication adherence, reduce costs, and increase access for rural residents, seniors, and people with mobility challenges. The resolution directs the commissioner to analyze safety, reliability, and emergency preparedness aspects of mail-order pharmacy systems and submit findings to the Legislature by March 2027. This is a non-binding resolution that does not change current laws but requests a formal review of the topic.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mail-order pharmacy expansion to improve medication adherence, reduce costs, and increase access for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 102: URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Insurance Commissioner to study how expanding mail-order pharmacy services could benefit residents. The study would examine impacts on medication adherence, cost savings, access for rural and disabled populations, and system reliability during emergencies. It does not change current laws but requests a report with findings and recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to expand mail-order pharmacy access, improving medication adherence and access for rural/disabled populations, which strengthens healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2161: RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a special fund with targeted fee to appropriate funds for pharmacy workforce planning, directly advancing fiscal management of state education programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund for pharmacist workforce assessment/planning, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and infrastructure through appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1539: RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Repeals certain prohibitions on the imposition of fees, conditions, or requirements on community retail pharmacies that are not imposed on mail order pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals prohibitions on fees for community pharmacies vs mail order, improving access to local pharmacy services and reducing regulatory barriers in healthcare delivery.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2848: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for medical devices, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs for patients and improving access to medical devices under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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