In response to rule petitions requesting accessible medication labeling for patients, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) will hold a public hearing on Friday, October 4 at 9:00 AM for rulemaking on the accessibility of prescription information for visually impaired individuals as well as individuals with limited English proficiency. Dental offices offering prescription toothpaste, prescription mouthwash, prescription bleaching products, and other prescriptions for take home patient use will be subject to these requirements and under the proposed rules, offices may not charge the patient an additional fee for accessible labeling services. All dental offices subject to these rules must also develop office policies and procedures to ensure the described accessible labeling requirements are met.

The draft rules require dispensing providers, including dentists, to provide access to prescription information for visually impaired or print disabled individuals upon the request of the individual or their authorized representative. Prescription information, in this case, refers to “drug or device name, patient name, patient species if applicable, complete directions for use, and drug quantity.” This access must be available through one or a combination of the methods outlined in the rules, which includes prescription information in braille, QR code, minimum 12-point font size, among other options.

Additionally, the rules propose that every dispensing provider offer competent oral interpretation and written translation services of the complete directions of prescription use to limited English proficiency individuals upon their request, upon the request of their authorized representative, or when it is evident the individual has limited English proficiency. Finally, providers must also display a sign, to be developed by PQAC, which notifies individuals of the right to oral interpretation and written translation services in the 10 most common languages in Washington.

Public Hearing Information

Questions?

More information can be found on the PQAC website, and comments can be submitted online.