The official policy statements of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa are established every year with annual resolutions adopted at the state convention.
The resolutions committee meets early during the convention. Each proposed resolution is read, spoken for by the authoring member, considered, and then ultimately withdrawn or recommended for passage or disapproval by the Convention.
Resolution 23-01: Regarding Accessible pharmaceutical labels
Whereas, prescription drugs are used to treat various medical conditions across a wide population, including blind and other print disabled individuals; and
Whereas, consumers have the right to receive information regarding each prescription drug filled by pharmacies; and
Whereas, blind and other print disabled individuals use large print, braille, and audio formats to obtain information their sighted counterparts obtain through standard print; and
Whereas, blind and print disabled Iowans should be afforded the right to equal access to needed and legally required information regarding prescription drugs they are using by large print, braille, and/or in audio format; and
Whereas, this information can be made readily available at little additional expense; and
Whereas, proper use of prescription drugs is essential to health and well-being; and
Whereas, blind and other print disabled Iowans are at risk of taking the wrong medication, incorrect dose, or expired medication when prescription drug labels and other information is not accessible; and
Whereas, blind and other print disabled Iowans are not currently able to obtain warnings, cautions, contraindications, or other critical information in an accessible format as a matter of right; and
Whereas, the United States Access Board in 2013 issued a report that included recommendations as to how pharmacies can best provide needed information to elderly blind and print disabled individuals, including the use of large print, braille, and audio formats.
Now, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, in convention assembled this 16th day of September, 2023 in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that this organization call on the Iowa Legislature to enact a law requiring that all prescription drug information be made fully accessible in large print, in braille, and in an audio format readily available upon request; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon all stakeholders, including pharmacies, to work with legislators and the blind of Iowa to make this a reality.