Reprint of NFB Colorado Press Release

  

  

ACCESSIBLE PRESCRIPTION LABELS
THE LAW OF THE LAND IN COLORADO

The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, through its statewide office and local chapters, is eager to work with local pharmacies to help in the implementation of Colorado's accessible prescription labels law, HB24-1115. Starting July 1, 2025, pharmacies in Colorado are required to provide patients who have difficulty seeing or reading standard labels on a prescription drug container with an accessible method to read the information on the prescription drug label free of cost to the patient.

A system called ScripTalk, available from En-Vision America, places critical prescription drug information onto an RFID label that can be read out loud, either with a talking smartphone or an easy-to-operate, dedicated reading device that reads and speaks the information on the RFID label. Compared to other systems, ScripTalk is the simplest to operate and the most universally accessible. Smartphone users find ScripTalk to provide the broadest accessibility. For example, for someone who cannot hear what is spoken, the smartphone can also send spoken information to a connected refreshable Braille display. For customers who do not use a smartphone, the same information is also available using a dedicated reading device that is available to the customer on indefinite loan. This reading device is easy to learn and use.

The ScriptAbility suite of software is the heart of the system that enables pharmacies to produce accessible labels. The suite encompasses Audible, Dual Language/Translation, Large Print, Controlled Substance Safety (CSSL) and Braille labels. It is an all-in-one interface that requires minimal setup. Contact ScriptAbility at 800-890-1180.

There is an up-front cost to pharmacies to acquire and integrate the technology that creates accessible RFID prescription labels. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment operates the Prescription Accessibility Grant Program, which can award up to $1,500 to individual pharmacies. Information is available online by searching Google for "Prescription Accessibility Grant Program." To answer additional questions about this grant program or to obtain assistance, please email Maisey Lyons de Valle at maisey.lyonsdevalle@state.co.us.

Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado stand ready to help pharmacies and their customers to make effective use of the ScripTalk system. Our blind members can contact patients and walk them through the use of the ScripTalk app or the ScripTalk reader. We also would welcome the chance to visit pharmacies throughout Colorado and offer free demonstrations to everyone who has an interest in ScripTalk.

For further information, contact me:

 Jessica Beecham, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
2233 West Shepperd Avenue
Littleton, Colorado 80120
Phone: 303-778-1130, Extension 219
Email: JBBeecham@gmail.com

 

Outreach Ideas:

1. Hand carry the flyer to our pharmacy.
2. Hand carry the flyer to our doctors and dentists.
3. Email the flyer to our doctors and dentists.
4. Hand carry the flyer to our local Senior centers and facilities. Ask them to post it on their bulletin boards and ask to speak at any meetings at the centers to educate and explain what access to prescriptions means.
5. Submit the flyer or an article based on the flyer to 55 plus community newsletters.
6. Hand carry the flyer to organizations, non-profit organizations, and government programs that work with non-English speaking populations.
7. Hand carry the flyer to Urgent Care facilities.
8. Ask our pharmacies to let us have a table for a few hours to show off our ScripTalk and other options.
9. Email the flyer to our “sighted” friends and family who may need a little more help reading the prescription labels on their medications.
10. Reach out to the deafblind community about the new law and provide information about how people who are deafblind can get Braille information from the ScripTalk system even though speech is the primary way in which it provides information.
11. Send the flyer to other disability advocates.
12. Send the flyer to our state legislators.
13. Send the flyer to independent living centers and other Assisted Living facilities.
14. Send and hand carry the flyer to Immigration Assistance programs.
15. Send the flyer to our city council members and mayor and ask to present at the next city council meeting.
16. Bring the flyer to your church and ask for it to be distributed to all parishioners.

 

Texas Bill to Help Seniors with Medications

 

Texas's Senate Bill 2470 focuses on prescription labeling standards that would help senior citizens be able to read their prescription labels and drug information more easily.  SB2470 would expect pharmacies to provide patients with low vision:

• a format accessible to the patient through a mobile internet application or assistive technology electronic device available to the patient at no cost 
• labels in plain language and printed in a minimum of Times New Roman 12 point font and/or a 
• large print data sheet with the label information, side effects and contraindicated medications.

The bill came forward as a result of the Texas Silver Haired Legislature's Resolution SL10.  This resolution is one of their top 10 legislative priorities designed to help senior citizens in Texas.  Learn more about the TSHL Legislative report in this post: https://www.staysaferx.org/2025/02/texas-silver-haired-legislatureresoluti.html  

Six Talking Points on the Importance of State Laws

The Importance of State Laws

Prescription labels are a critical component of healthcare, providing essential information about medication usage, dosage, and potential side effects. However, for many individuals, these labels can be difficult to understand due to language barriers, visual impairments, or other accessibility issues. Implementing state laws to ensure accessible and translated prescription labels is crucial for several reasons.

1) Regulatory Context

It is important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the format of patient prescription labels. Instead, each state's board of pharmacy is tasked with this responsibility. This decentralized approach means that there can be significant variability in labeling standards across different states. State laws mandating accessible and translated prescription labels can help create more uniform standards, ensuring that all patients receive clear and understandable medication information regardless of where they live.

2) Enhancing Patient Safety

One of the primary reasons for state laws mandating accessible and translated prescription labels is to enhance patient safety. Misunderstanding prescription instructions can lead to medication errors, which can have serious or even fatal consequences. For instance, taking the wrong dosage or misunderstanding the frequency of medication can result in overdoses or ineffective treatment. By providing labels in multiple languages and accessible formats, patients are more likely to understand how to take their medications correctly, reducing the risk of errors.

3) Promoting Health Equity & Health Literacy

Health equity is another significant reason for implementing these laws. In a diverse society, many patients may not speak English as their first language. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 67 million people in the United States speak a language other than English at home. Without translated prescription labels, these individuals may struggle to understand their medication instructions, leading to disparities in healthcare outcomes. Health Literacy means having access to and being able to understand the information needed to make health care decisions for one's self. State laws requiring translated and accessible labels can help bridge this gap, ensuring that all patients have equal access to medication label information.

4) Supporting Vulnerable Populations

Accessible prescription labels are particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with disabilities. Older adults often have multiple prescriptions and may have difficulty reading small print due to age-related vision loss. Similarly, individuals with disabilities, such as visual impairments or cognitive challenges, may find standard prescription labels difficult to read or comprehend. State laws mandating accessible formats, such as large print, braille, or audio labels, can help these individuals manage their medications more effectively and maintain their health.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

From a legal and ethical standpoint, providing accessible and translated prescription labels aligns with the principles of patient rights and informed consent. Patients have the right to understand the medications they are taking and the potential risks and benefits associated with them. Ensuring that prescription labels are accessible and understandable is a fundamental aspect of respecting patient autonomy and promoting informed decision-making. State laws can help standardize these practices, ensuring that all healthcare providers adhere to these ethical principles.

Economic Benefits

There are also economic benefits to implementing state laws for accessible and translated prescription labels. Medication errors and adverse drug events can lead to increased healthcare costs due to additional treatments, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits. By reducing the incidence of these errors through clearer and more understandable prescription labels, healthcare systems can save money and allocate resources more efficiently. Additionally, improved medication adherence resulting from better understanding of prescription instructions can lead to better health outcomes and reduced long-term healthcare costs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, state laws mandating accessible and translated prescription labels are essential for enhancing patient safety, promoting health equity, supporting vulnerable populations, and upholding legal and ethical standards. These laws can also provide economic benefits by reducing healthcare costs associated with medication errors. By ensuring that all patients have access to clear and understandable prescription information, we can create a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.