VA Prescriptions Have a Lot to Say

According to the American Society of Health System Pharmacists recent newsletter, there is no law or regulation that requires prescription drug labels be decipherable by blind or visually impaired patients—and therefore no compelling reason for insurers and pharmaceutical firms to improve the use of medications for the blind and visually impaired.

However, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has finalized its plan to provide audible prescription reading devices to more than 33,000 blind veterans.

The VHA purchased the ScripTalk Audible Prescription System, which uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The patient positions the battery powered hand held RFID reader to within a few inches of the specially printed label, which has an embedded microchip and antenna. A synthesized voice gives the patient’s name, drug name, instructions for use, special warnings, expiration date, prescriber’s name, pharmacy phone number, and prescription number.

A printer in the pharmacy produces readable information and encodes the RFID microchip in the label.