[Blindtlk] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Endorses Legislation to Improve Prescription Drug Labeling

[David Andrews]

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>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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>CONTACT:
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>Chris Danielsen
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>Director of Public Relations
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>National Federation of the Blind
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>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
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>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
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><mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
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>National Federation of the Blind Endorses Legislation
>  to Improve Prescription Drug Labeling
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>Baltimore, Maryland (March 12, 2012): The 
>National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and 
>largest organization of blind people in the 
>country, today endorsed H.R. 4087, the 
>Prescription Drug Labeling Promotion Act of 
>2012.  This legislation, introduced by 
>Congressman Edward D. Markey (D-MA) on February 
>28, is intended to ensure that people who are 
>blind or have other print disabilities have full 
>access to the information included on their prescription drug labels.
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>The legislation calls for the Secretary of 
>Health and Human Services to create a working 
>group consisting of stakeholders­such as 
>representatives of organizations of the 
>blind­which will develop and propagate best 
>practices and standards on access to 
>prescription drug labels by the blind and 
>visually impaired.  The working group would have 
>one year after the date of the Act’s enactment 
>to promulgate its guidance on best practices.
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>Eighteen months after the promulgation of best 
>practices, the Comptroller General will evaluate 
>the level of access blind people have to 
>prescription drug labels, as well as the level 
>of compliance by pharmacies, and submit a review to Congress.
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>“Blind people and those who are losing vision 
>must have access to the critical information 
>contained on prescription labels,” said Dr. Marc 
>Maurer, President of the National Federation of 
>the Blind.  “We thank Congressman Markey for 
>introducing this legislation and look forward to 
>participating in discussions to formulate best 
>practices for making this information accessible.”
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>“No one should have to sacrifice their 
>independence or safety to take their 
>medication,” said Representative Markey, senior 
>member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and 
>author of the 21st Century Communications and 
>Video Accessibility Act.  “Being unable to read 
>prescription labels can lead to unnecessary 
>illness and added emergency room visits.  The 
>Prescription Drug Labeling Promotion Act helps 
>turn pharmacies into partners for empowering all 
>Americans to take full control of their 
>health.  It is another important step to ensure 
>that individuals who are blind can fully participate in 21st century society.”
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>About the National Federation of the Blind
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>With more than 50,000 members, the National 
>Federation of the Blind is the largest and most 
>influential membership organization of blind 
>people in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
>"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" 
>/>United States. The NFB improves blind people’s 
>lives through advocacy, education, research, 
>technology, and programs encouraging 
>independence and self-confidence. It is the 
>leading force in the blindness field today and 
>the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 
>the NFB opened the National Federation of the 
>Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and 
>training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
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