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On Stay Safe Rx you will find current events and resources advocating for safe prescription labeling practices. When patients struggle to see, read or understand their prescription labels they are more likely to take the wrong medication, take it improperly, or not take it at all. Pharmacies can make prescription labels more accessible by incorporating dual-language, audible, large print, Braille, plain language, and user-friendly designs. Check out the resources in the side bar to assist your own advocacy efforts or browse through posts to see what others are working on or have achieved.

Hawaii House and Senate Introduce Prescription Drug Bill

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 Hawaii House and Senate Introduce Prescription Drug Bill

House Bill 218 introduced by Representative Gregg Takayama and Senate Bill 608 introduced by Senator Joy San Buenaventura and Senator Karl Rhoads both aim to make prescription labeling more accessible. 

Both bills would require pharmacies to provide accessible prescription drug label information to individuals who have difficulty seeing or reading prescription drug container labels.  Additionally, the bills would require pharmacies to inform the public that prescription drug label information is available in alternate accessible formats for individuals who have difficulty seeing or reading prescription drug container labels. 

The Board of Pharmacy would be required  to adopt rules to implement the bill by December 31, 2023.

Read bill text and track:

HB 218 -https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=218&year=2023

 

SB 608 - https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=608&year=2023

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Puerto Rico PS 287 Signed by Governor Pedro Pierluisi

Pedro Pierluisi, ¿quién es el gobernador de la isla de Puerto Rico? 

Puerto Rico PS 287 Signed by Gov. Pierluisi

TelemundoPR.com reports Gov. Pedro Pierluisi signed PS 287 into law.   https://www.telemundopr.com/noticias/puerto-rico/gobernador-veta-cinco-medidas-y-firma-otras-piezas-legislativas/2439734/  The Health Department now has 180 days to create and approve the regulations for implementation.

Here's what the law says:

  • Any pharmacy that dispenses retail medications must have the talking label service for all medication dispensed to the patient and that has been prescribed by a licensed physician.   
  • The blind or visually impaired person who goes to a pharmacy to seek the dispensing of prescription drugs must request the talking label service in writing or a form provided by the pharmacy. 
  • Once requested by the patient, the pharmacy will have a term of thirty (30) days, counted from the date of the request, to obtain the pertinent equipment and extend the service.  
  • A "speaking label" is an electronically labeled and programmed sticker by pharmacies, which adheres to medical-pharmaceutical containers. The programming in these stickers translates into voice, medical indications for consumption, through an electronic device. 
  • Any pharmacy established in Puerto Rico that fails to comply with its duty to provide the talking tag service, can be fined up to five hundred dollars. ($500.00) for each violation. 
  • Pharmacies can select, contract or develop the existing product or technology provided that the letter and spirit of this Law are not frustrated. 
  •  The Department of Health will approve regulations for the proper implementation of this Law.
  • The regulations must be approved within one hundred eighty (180) days following the approval of this Law, 
  • Once the Regulation is approved, the Department of Health will have a term of thirty (30) days to publicize it, so that citizens and pharmacies know its details.

 

 


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Three Bills for Accessible Prescription Labeling Introduced in the Missouri House