Requires pharmacies to provide prescription drug readers or other means of access to individuals who disclose they have difficulty seeing or reading standard print labels on prescription drug containers; defines "prescription drug reader" to mean a device which is capable of audibly conveying information contained on the label of a prescription drug; makes exceptions.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4039
SPONSOR: McDonald TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to prescription drug
label accessibility
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to enhance accessibility for individuals
with visual impairments by requiring prescription drug labels to be made
more accessible through the use of prescription drug readers.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends the education law by adding a new section 6810-a
requiring specific pharmacies to provide prescription drug readers or
other means of access to individuals who have difficulty seeing or read-
ing standard print labels on prescription containers. This section
further outlines necessary guidelines for the distribution of
prescription drug readers and provides exemptions to pharmacies which
operate as a sole proprietorship, institutional pharmacies, pharmacies
located in a correctional facility and pharmacies occupied by a govern-
ment entity.
Section 2. Establishes the enacting clause.
JUSTIFICATION:
Prescription label accessibility has become a growing concern as visual-
ly impaired individuals face challenges in safely managing their medica-
tions. Several states have already enacted legislation to provide
prescription drug readers for consumers, addressing this crucial need.
This bill seeks to bring New York in line with those efforts, ensuring
individuals with visual impairments have access to tools that promote
safe medication practices.
The proposed legislation requires pharmacies to offer prescription drug
readers to visually impaired individuals for the duration of their
prescription. These readers audibly communicate the information on the
medication labels, ensuring consumers can accurately follow instructions
regarding usage, dosage, and storage. By implementing this, New York
aims to reduce the risks associated with misinterpreting or misunder-
standing prescription labels.
Additionally, small business pharmacies will be exempt from the require-
ment, offering a balanced approach that supports accessibility without
placing undue burdens on local businesses. Overall, this bill is
designed to enhance drug safety, particularly for those who have diffi-
culty reading prescription labels, ensuring they can safely and effec-
tively manage their medications.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4039
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. McDONALD -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to prescription drug
label accessibility
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6810-a
2 to read as follows:
3 § 6810-a. Prescription drug label accessibility. 1. All pharmacies
4 with the exception of those cited in subdivision three of this section
5 shall provide prescription drug readers or other means of access to
6 individuals who disclose they have difficulty seeing or reading standard
7 print labels on prescription drug containers. For the purposes of this
8 section, "prescription drug reader" shall mean a device which is capable
9 of audibly conveying information contained on the label of a
10 prescription drug.
11 2. This section shall require pharmacies to:
12 (a) Ensure the prescription drug reader is dispensed for at least the
13 duration of the individual's prescription;
14 (b) Ensure the prescription drug reader comes at no additional cost to
15 the individual;
16 (c) Make sustained, periodic and reasonable efforts to inform the
17 general public that prescription drug label information is available in
18 alternative accessible formats;
19 (d) Make sustained, periodic and reasonable efforts to inform individ-
20 uals with prior records of low visibility and blindness that
21 prescription drug readers or other means of access are available in
22 alternative accessible formats; and
23 (e) Consult best practice standards established by the U.S. Access
24 Board.
25 3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05311-01-5
A. 4039 2
1 (a) A pharmacy which operates as a sole proprietorship;
2 (b) A pharmacy located in a correctional facility; or
3 (c) A pharmacy occupied by a government entity.
4 4. The state board of pharmacy shall adopt any rules or regulations
5 necessary for implementation of this section no later than December
6 thirty-first, two thousand twenty-seven.
7 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
