[NFBP-Talk] FW: Help Support Accessible Prescription Label Bill HB 125

[Drenth, Joe]

Hello everyone,

Below is an email regarding legislation within Pennsylvania to provide accessible prescription labels for people who are blind, visually-impaired, or otherwise print-disabled. There are steps described below to support the bill if you feel so inclined.

This appears to be a worthwhile bill, and we respect Rep. Dan Miller for his efforts in promoting the needs of people with disabilities.
Best regards,
Joe

Dear Stakeholders,
Pennsylvania State Representative Dan Miller is looking for feedback and testimony for House Bill 125 which would require pharmacies to provide accessible prescription labels to those who are blind, have low vision or are otherwise print-impaired. Please see details below regarding how to submit your feedback. Please feel free to share with anyone else who could provide feedback or testimony in support of this important piece of legislation.
Thank you!
                                                        Advocate for Accessible Prescription Labels
Support HB 125 in Pennsylvania
There is new pending legislation in Pennsylvania, HB 125, which would require pharmacies to provide accessible prescription labels to those who are blind or low vision or otherwise print impaired.  The sponsor of the bill, Representative Dan L. Miller, would like to receive your feedback and testimony regarding this important disability legislation.
Representative Dan L. Miller
217 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202042
Harrisburg PA 17120-2042
Or email his staff, Stephanie Hardman, at shardman at pa.house.net<mailto:shardman at pa.house.net>


And of course, let your own local representatives know how important this bill is as well! I have included some information below that can help you to write effective testimony to support this bill.  These ideas address a variety of perspectives and the most common counter-arguments that pharmacies give for not providing this service.



Warm regards,



Sharla Glass

Public Policy and Community Outreach

En-Vision America, Inc.

941-702-6602

sglass at envisionamerica.com<mailto:sglass at envisionamerica.com>
Remember your testimony will be available to the public, so do not include personal information that you want kept private.  Be sure to include HB 125 in the subject line.  Here are some ideas on writing your testimony.

Give an example of one or two of the following that best suit your situation:


1.    Your experience managing multiple meds without vision.  Errors that have been made (yours or the pharmacy's). How it made you feel.  "Solutions" that have not worked. So and so wants to help, but this solution is just not cutting it. Or I appreciate their willingness to try, but we need something solid to enforce this.

2.    Your experience requesting accessible prescription labels per ADA and being denied.  Explain what the reasoning for the denial.  If your pharmacist said they would like to provide the service but corporate decisions prevented them, be sure to state that as well.

3.    Your experience of being referred to another pharmacy a distance away or a mail order option and the struggles of utilizing that option to demonstrate the need for service at the window.  (no ride, controlled substances cannot be mailed, meds arriving in an untimely manner, does not accept insurance).

4.    Your experience being given "at the window" counseling or an alternative format (Braille, large print) but not being able to access the information once home (you're not a Braille reader, the font wasn't big enough, etc) or the pharmacist not being available for questions after hours when you needed info about meds that sighted could read on the label.

5.    An example of the cost of medication errors personally or financially for you and/or your pharmacist. How did it make you and your family feel?  How did the pharmacist feel? What other ramifications were there?

6.    Your Success Story!!!  A personal experience that demonstrates how accessible prescription labels benefits both you and your pharmacist.  Demonstrating how accessible prescription labels are successful is critical.


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