Iowa's 2026 accessible labeling bill has passed committee with some amendments and has been renamed HF 2585. It will be eligible for a floor vote beginning Feb 24th.
The bill requires the Board of Pharmacy to annually publish a list of pharmacies that provide accessible prescription labeling, require pharmacies to let patients know accessible labels, guides and bag tags are available, and to either provide the labels, guides and bag tags in accessible format or refer patient to another pharmacy (on the list) that can do so. The amended version took away pharmacy reimbursement by insurance and reference distance in the referral clause.
There is one issue with this state bill: it contradicts the federal Americans with Disabilities Act which requires every business to provide equal access to services and has no provision for referring patrons to another establishment that is already providing accessibility.
Furthermore, this bill, if passed as written, will be hard for the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to enforce. Who will be required to provide labels and who will be allowed to refer to another pharmacy? Either the rule will be unfairly enforced or not enforced at all.
Those who are blind or visually impaired are already limited in their choice of pharmacy due to driving restrictions. They need to use a pharmacy that is within walking or public transportation distance or provides free delivery to obtain prescriptions independently.
Iowans must ask themselves if they want to accept "something is better than nothing" and be told where to go? Or fight for access for everyone at every pharmacy?
Read ADA compliant copy of bill here: HF2585
Find your Iowa Legislator here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find