[telemedicine] VA Prescriptions Have a Lot to Say

[Medical Informatics News]

According to the American Society of Health System
Pharmacists*recent newsletter, there is no law or regulation that requires prescription drug labels be
decipherable by blind or visually impaired patients—and therefore no compelling reason for*insurers and
pharmaceutical firms to improve the use of medications for the blind and visually impaired.


However, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has finalized
its plan to provide audible prescription reading devices to more than 33,000 blind veterans.


The VHA purchased the ScripTalk Audible Prescription
System, which uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The patient positions the battery powered hand
held RFID reader to within a few inches of the specially printed label, which has an embedded microchip and antenna. A
synthesized voice gives the patient’s name, drug name, instructions for use, special warnings, expiration date,
prescriber’s name, pharmacy phone number, and prescription number.


A printer in the pharmacy produces readable information and encodes the RFID microchip in the label.

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