Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labeling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pharmacist urges Board to set legibility standards for auxiliary prescription labels
Summary
During public comment at the June 24 meeting, pharmacist Steve Rosati urged the board to adopt minimum legibility standards for auxiliary labels (safety warnings) on prescription containers, citing microscopic fonts and inconsistent printing that can render warnings effectively invisible.
At the California State Board of Pharmacy’s June 24 meeting, pharmacist Steve Rosati of Hollister urged the board to address what he described as a “critical safety gap” in auxiliary labeling on prescription containers.
Rosati said the board’s 2009 patient‑centered labeling improvement (Title 16, section 1707.5) helped, but auxiliary warnings — instructions such as "take with food," "do not drive," or time‑sensitive eye‑drop instructions — were left out and remain inconsistent across pharmacies. He showed examples and told the board many pharmacies print these warnings in "microscopic two to four fonts" with compressed lettering that can rub off, making vital warnings effectively invisible.
Rosati asked the board to initiate a process to set minimum legibility standards for auxiliary labels, suggesting measures such as a minimum six‑point sans‑serif font, avoidance of compressed letterforms, bolding important warnings, and restricting unnecessary information on label real estate (for example, removing DEA numbers or advertising) so safety text is more visible.
President S O and several board members thanked Rosati for bringing real‑world examples. Members including Jesse Cwley and Jeff Hughes echoed concern about legibility and said the board would consider placing the topic on a future agenda and assigning it to a committee (members suggested Licensing as a likely committee to lead further work). President S O said staff would determine the appropriate committee and follow up.
The board did not take immediate action but invited staff to evaluate the issue and return with options for committee consideration.
Quote: "These warnings do become practically invisible… I respectfully request the board initiate the same process today to begin providing similar legibility standards to auxiliary labeling," Steve Rosati said.
What’s next: Staff will identify an appropriate committee and consider adding auxiliary‑label legibility standards to a future agenda for more detailed discussion and potential regulatory or guidance options.
