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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.

2024 Review & Preview 2025

There were many steps forward toward making prescription labels safer in 2024. Nine accessible labeling bills were introduced and four of them passed in California, Virginia, Colorado, and Minnesota. New laws and rules are setting precedence for those that follow. Here are a few examples:

In 2022 Tennessee’s law required not just labels, but all bag tags and medical guides to be accessible. While the Board of Pharmacy downplayed this in their rules, it did become part of the language for Maryland’s 2024 law.
Though no law has been passed, in 2023 Missouri Board of Pharmacy granted Missouri RxCares funds to independent pharmacies to assist in getting set up with accessible prescription labels. In 2024 Colorado followed suit and incorporated an $80,000 grant from the Department of Health into their bill which passed.
In 2023, again with no law in place, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy created a rule that all pharmacies needed to simply report what accessible services they offer and created a searchable website for consumers. Minnesota followed suit and their new law requires pharmacies to report in the first year after passage, and then requires provision of accessible labels during the second year.
In 2023 Virginia HB2147 directed the Board of Pharmacy to convene a work group to evaluate the provision of translated directions for use on prescriptions. The work group did not include anyone with limited English proficiency or translators. Learning from this, the 2023 Maryland bill and 2024 Virginia accessible prescription labeling bills specified that the NFB and others with lived experience of sight loss be included in the rules drafting process.

Preview for 2025: Missouri has already prefiled their fourth attempt HB360. Advocates in Indiana, Alaska, Michigan, New York, Texas, Iowa, Utah, Louisiana are looking for or have secured sponsors. We’ve also got interest in Nevada and Virginia to continue to pursue translated labels for those who prefer a language other than English for critical medication information. Check back periodically for updates on legislation and rules making prescription labels safer!

Wishing You and Yours a Happy New Year!

A vibrant New Year 2025 celebration with colorful fireworks lighting up the night sky. In the foreground, scales of justice stand tall, symbolizing fairness and equality. Surrounding the scales are a diverse group of people all celebrating together.