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<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=4><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica"><b>CONTACT:<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">Chris Danielsen<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">Director of Public
Relations<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">National Federation of the
Blind<br>
</font><font face="Garamond"><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">(410) 659-9314, extension
2330<br>
</font><font face="Garamond"><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
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National Federation of the Blind Endorses Legislation<br>
to Improve Prescription Drug Labeling<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica"><b>Baltimore, Maryland (March
12, 2012): </b>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.<br>
</font><font face="Garamond"><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica"> <br>
</font><font face="Garamond"><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">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.
<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">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.<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">“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.”<br>
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</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">“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.”<br>
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<br><br>
<b>About the National Federation of the Blind <br>
</b><br>
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.<br><br>
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