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House committee hears bill to require pharmacies offer prescription readers for visually impaired
Summary
Sponsors told the House Insurance Committee HB 374 would require pharmacies to notify patients about and provide, on request, audio prescription readers that speak label information; sponsors described devices as low cost and already offered by some national chains.
The House Insurance Committee heard sponsor testimony for House Bill 374, which would require pharmacies to notify patients that a prescription reader is available and to provide one upon request for the duration of the prescription.
Mark Segrist, a sponsor witness, told the committee the devices simply read aloud the same label information everyone else can see — dosage, instructions and warnings — and that many large chains already offer them in some states. "These devices simply read aloud the same label information everyone else can see, including dosage, instructions, warnings, safety information," Segrist said. He and Representative Cindy Abrams said the devices are low-cost, widely available and can prevent dangerous medication errors for blind and visually impaired Ohioans.
Representative Cockley asked technical questions about whether the readers require smartphone skills and whether they support multiple languages or braille. Sponsors said basic standalone readers are available at nominal retail prices and that proponents plan to bring devices to a future committee meeting to demonstrate them. Sponsors said language support and braille options have been discussed by proponents but cost was not reported as a prohibitive factor for typical reader devices.
The hearing concluded as committee members indicated they would receive additional proponent demonstrations and written testimony.
