What's Being Discussed

The Hawaii Department of Human Services' Med-QUEST Division is holding a meeting of its Drug Use Review (DUR) Board, which oversees how prescription drugs are used within Hawaii's Medicaid program. Key topics include:

• Board membership updates, including extended terms and a search for a pharmacist from a neighbor island community pharmacy
• Updates to board bylaws related to adding a practicing dentist member
• Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) updates and the annual federal survey on drug use review
• Outlier prescribers in the dental program who may be prescribing controlled substances at unusual rates
• Expensive drug claims related to organ and tissue transplant patients
• Safe opioid prescribing guidance for providers, including CDC guidelines, dosage calculators, and resources on pain management for adults, teens, and children
• Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray availability through free vending machines statewide
• Safe medication disposal options, including take-back programs and at-home disposal tips
• Hepatitis C treatment guidelines and health plan requirements
• Potential impacts of the federal H.R. 1 Act on Medicaid utilization management requirements

Decisions Expected

• Approval of minutes from the May 13, 2026 meeting
• Review and possible action on board bylaw updates
• Discussion of educational materials to be distributed to Medicaid providers

Who Should Pay Attention

• Medicaid patients and their families in Hawaii
• Healthcare providers, especially those prescribing controlled substances or treating Medicaid patients
• Pharmacists, dentists, and other prescribers
• Anyone interested in opioid safety, Hepatitis C treatment, or Medicaid drug policy in Hawaii