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

Puerto Rico PS 287 Signed by Governor Pedro Pierluisi

 

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.
  

 

 

 

Three Bills for Accessible Prescription Labeling Introduced in the Missouri House

The 2023 Missouri legislative session start with a strong showing of bills that would provide greater accessibility for those who are blind or visually impaired.  Three bills related to accessible prescription labeling have been filed by Rep. Yolanda Young (D), Rep Robert Sauls (D) and Rep. Mike Stephens (R). 

Meanwhile, the Missouri Board of Pharmacy hosted a presentation by Roger Crome and Sheila Wright  from the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri demonstrating accessible prescription labeling options available to pharmacies.  Mr. Crome and Ms. Wright also detailed the struggles blind and visually impaired consumers have identifying and safely managing medications without having access to the printed label information and directions.  Board members asked questions and determined that this issue requires some dialogue to determine how to best support pharmacies in implementing accessible prescription labeling options.

For more information on new bills see:

HB 80  Rep Yolanda Young (D) https://legiscan.com/MO/bill/HB80/2023

HB 685 Rep Robert Sauls (D) https://legiscan.com/MO/bill/HB685/2023

HB 812 Rp Mike Stephens (R)  https://legiscan.com/MO/bill/HB812/2023