HB 277-EMERGENCY USE OF EPINEPHRINE  1:33:39 PM CHAIR DAVIS announced consideration of HB 277. [CSHB 277(HSS) was before the committee.] She said her intent was to move the bill from committee once public testimony was closed. 1:34:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, sponsor of HB 277 said this bill allows individuals who have successfully passed a program approved by the [Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)] to purchase and administer epinephrine in an emergency situation. Currently in Alaska only persons who have an allergy can receive a prescription for an "epi pen," but individuals who are responsible for others such as camp councilors, wilderness guides, and bus drivers don't have that option. 1:35:16 PM JILL LEWIS, Deputy Director, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), said the administration's position on HB 277 is neutral. She informed the committee that epinephrine is inherently safe especially when administered by auto injector, which is commonly known as the epi pen. These are routinely prescribed to persons with a history of severe allergic reactions and the expectation is that they will administer it to themselves. Special training is not required but initial demonstrations and instructions are commonly Epinephrine ampoules are currently used by wilderness medical associates for mountain guides in part due to the lower cost and portability. Under HB 277 DHSS would adopt standards for approval for training programs to use epinephrine in emergency situations. The standards will be different for using epi pens versus ampoules. Several national training programs already exist including those provided by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and Wilderness Medical Associates. The program would provide training on symptom recognition, proper storage of the drug, and emergency follow-up procedures. People who pass an approved training program could then obtain a prescription. DHSS submitted a zero fiscal note because the Division of Public Health already has an emergency medical services unit that approves similar programs for EMTs and instructors. This existing resource could be used and would add little to the workload. 1:37:59 PM SENATOR PASKVAN questioned why, given the reason for the zero fiscal note, the administration has taken a neutral position on the bill. MS. LEWIS replied, "That's the position of the administration." SENATOR PASKVAN said he doesn't understand. MS. LEWIS responded this would be for non professionals so it would be a little different than what they're currently doing. 1:39:17 PM DON HUDSON, Emergency Room Doctor, said he trains a lot of EMTS and he sits on the ACEMS Board that looks at what the Alaska Council on Emergency Medicine advises the governor about. He said he's been prescribing this drug for years and believes it's a good idea to put it in statute. While the ampoules are lighter both are very simple to use and the chance of someone doing anything that could cause harm is infinitesimally small. There's nothing worse than watching someone who has never been allergic to anything get a bee sting or eat something they're allergic to and then swell up to the point they can't breathe. Having an ampoule or epi pen available in these situations isn't a bad idea, he said. 1:41:12 PM MICHAEL DUNNING, Intern for Representative Peggy Wilson, said that it sounds as if others have covered everything he would have said about the bill. He said he wanted to voice his support for the bill. 1:42:14 PM CHAIR DAVIS closed public testimony and asked the will of the committee. SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report CS for HB 277 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, CSHB 277(HSS) moved from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.