HB 125-TOPICAL EYE MEDS PRESCRIPTION REFILLS  8:13:18 AM CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of HB 125. "An Act prohibiting a health care insurer from denying coverage for an additional limited quantity of prescription topical eye medication under certain circumstances." He noted this was the second hearing. [CSHB 125(L&C) AM was before the committee.] 8:13:46 AM CHRISSY MCNALLY, Staff, Representative Lindsey Holmes, sponsor of HB 125, summarized the bill. She said it will allow individuals who require prescription eye medications for chronic diseases to receive refills before the prescribed renewal date. She explained that prescription eye drops are currently measured the same as prescription pills; one drop equals one dose. Because drops are sometimes dispensed unevenly, an individual may run out of their prescription earlier than their insurance provider will pay for a refill. The bill alleviates that problem by requiring health insurance providers to allow refills of eye drop prescriptions prior to the last day of the dosage period, as long as the refill is approved by the doctor. Ophthalmologists, optometrists support the bill and insurance providers have no objection to it. 8:14:45 AM SENATOR OLSON asked if she was familiar with scheduled drugs. MS. MCNALLY said no. CHAIR DUNLEAVY suggested that Mr. Levitt could address the question. 8:15:10 AM MICHAEL LEVITT, American Academy of Ophthalmology, introduced himself. SENATOR OLSON asked if he was an ophthalmologist and familiar with the schedule of drugs. MS. LEVITT said he was not an ophthalmologist, but he was familiar with the schedule of drugs. SENATOR OLSON asked where prescription eye drops fell on the schedule of controlled substances. MR. LEVITT acknowledged that some prescription eye drops fall in the controlled substance category, but that isn't the typical practice. When that category is prescribed, it's postoperatively for a limited period of time. He said the bill is intended for things like glaucoma and other chronic diseases. The regular practice in ophthalmology does not require the chronic use of pain killers. 8:16:48 AM SENATOR OLSON asked if the bill would apply to a prescription for a corneal anesthetic. MR. LEVITT said yes, but a person typically would not be on that sort of medication for more than 30 days. SENATOR OLSON asked what kind of controls or safeguards there would be for somebody who has glaucoma. MR. LEVITT explained the treatment for glaucoma. Drops are prescribed to regulate the pressure in the eye and the patient is asked to come back for routine checkups to see if the drug is working. If the drops don't work, there are more invasive interventions with lasers or scalpels. SENATOR OLSON said his question is how a person can continue to get refills if the pressure isn't under good control. MR. LEVITT said there are hundreds of different types of glaucoma, and the patient normally wouldn't go blind for years. If the pressure rises gradually, the ophthalmologist will adjust the medications. SENATOR OLSON asked about narrow angle glaucoma. MR. LEVITT said there would be immediate intervention for that serious and acute glaucoma. SENATOR OLSON asked how many other states have this. MS. MCNALLY said four other states have a similar law: Connecticut, Maryland, New Mexico, and New York. 8:21:57 AM CHAIR DUNLEAVY found no public testimony and closed it. He solicited a motion. 8:22:04 AM SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report CSHB 125, 28-LS0431\O.A, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 8:22:22 AM SENATOR STEDMAN objected to question the version before the committee. 8:22:48 AM At ease 8:23:15 AM CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting. SENATOR STEDMAN withdrew his objection. SENATOR OLSON commented that having practiced medicine in Bush Alaska he fully appreciates how serious it can be to run out of medication. He said he stands in full support of the bill. 8:23:56 AM CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection, CSHB 125(L&C) AM moved from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.