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Press Release: 2013-03-03
LEND YOUR VOICE! ACCESSIBLE PRESCRIPTION LABELING
People who are interested in using mobile technology to read labels may find themselves shortchanged by the recommendations of the US Access Board Working Group on Accessible Prescription Labels. The board is holding open meetings to determine best practices for labeling prescriptions for the blind and visually impaired. The board is not, at this time, considering codes that can be read by mobile devices such as the iPhone or Android and it is not considering mobile technology as an option for label reading or recording, an option which is popular with many blind and unsighted individuals. The public hearings will be conducted Monday, March 18 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Eastern Time. Citizen participation is by telephone 888-603-7094, passcode 6317703. Dial in any time during the meeting; the public comment period is anticipated to start between 4:15 and 4:30 pm Eastern time.
Dallas, TX 2013-03-06 People who are interested in using mobile technology to read labels may find themselves shortchanged by the recommendations of the US Access Board
What: The US Access Board Working Group on Accessible Prescription Labels is holding open meetings to determine best practices for labeling prescriptions for the blind and visually impaired.
When: Monday, March 18 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Eastern Time
Where: Telephone 888-603-7094, passcode 6317703. Dial in any time during the meeting; the public comment period is anticipated to start between 4:15 and 4:30 pm Eastern time.
Why: Prescription information should be accessible to everyone, regardless of vision condition.
The board is not, at this time, considering codes that can be read by mobile devices such as the iPhone or Android and it is not considering mobile technology as an option for label reading or recording. Many blind and visually-impaired individuals use label-reading products with their iPhones, iPod or iPads and believe this is an option that should be included in the recommendations because of its convenience, low cost of implementation, power and portability.
If you are blind or low-vision, you'll want to find out more about this committee and to consider giving some input on the topic because the results almost certainly will determine how your prescriptions are labeled in the future.
For more information, read on!
How does the Working Group affect you?
The US Access Board Working Group on Accessible Prescription Labels is holding hearings to determine best practices for labeling prescriptions for the blind and visually impaired.
At this time, the committee is considering only existing solutions such as bottle recorders and RFID readers. We believe that it is in everyone’s best interest to understand that there is no single good solution to making prescription labels accessible and that the range of solutions should include the use of labels (QR code and other) that can be read by devices such as the iPad, iPod, Android or iPhone.
Here is a sample pharmaceutical label that can be printed on a simple, inexpensive round label and fitted on the bottom of a standard 40ml prescription bottle. http://www.digit-eyes.com/graphics/pharma-see/sampleLabel1.png
This code can be scanned and voiced with any QR code scanning app on the iPhone, Android or other device that can read and voice QR codes. You can, for instance, read it with the free version of Digit-Eyes:
https://appstore.com/digiteyeslite
As shown in the sample label, the content can include personalized information about the prescription as well as a link to the authoritative source of information about the medicine in the bottle (in this case, a sample penicillin label, a link is included to the Medline Plus page for the specific formulation in the bottle.) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a685015.html
The advantage of this type of labeling is straightforward: for people who have a phone that can scan codes, no bulky reader or awkward addition to their pill bottle is needed. The “reader” is where the person is – it won’t be accidentally left behind and the phone is easily charged and highly reliable.
The working group is a public body and meetings are open to the public. So, if you want to participate and make your opinions known, you have a chance to do so!
The next meeting is scheduled Monday, March 18 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm ET. The Access Board will be specifically discussing audio labeling of prescriptions. The document they are working from is here:
http://www.access-board.gov/drug-labels/practices-summary.htm
And the hearing will start with the line titled “Practice of Providing Audible Labels -- Digital voice recorders attached to a prescription drug container”
The committee typically discusses their document and then saves the last 30 or 45 minutes for a “Public Forum” and open the phone lines for public comments.
The dial-in number is 888-603-7094 and the pass code is 6317703. You can dial in any time.
People who are interested in mobile solutions should attend the next meeting by phone and speak up for the option of including mobile technology as one of the audio options.
Contact: Nancy Miracle
(817) 571-3083
nmiracle@digit-eyes.com
www.digit-eyes.com
About the US Access Board Working Group on Accessible Prescription Labels
The charter of the board:
http://www.access-board.gov/news/drug-labels-working-group.htm
The overview and minutes:
http://www.access-board.gov/drug-labels/index.htm
The recommendations from the meeting of the Access Board on January 10-11:
http://www.access-board.gov/drug-labels/practices-summary.htm
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