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2024 SESSION

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24104715D
HOUSE BILL NO. 516 Offered January 10, 2024 Prefiled January 8, 2024 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-3410.3, relating to prescription drugs; labels; blind and disabled users. ---------- Patrons-- Hope, Glass, Bennett-Parker, Krizek, Price, Seibold and Shin ---------- Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-3410.3 as follows:

§ 54.1-3410.3. Accessible prescription labels.

A. For the purposes of this section, "prescription reader" means a device that is designed to audibly convey the information contained on the label of a prescription drug.

B. A pharmacy shall notify each person to whom a prescription drug is dispensed that an accessible prescription label is available to the person upon request at no additional cost.

C. If a person informs the pharmacy that he is blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled, and the person requests an accessible prescription label, the pharmacy shall provide the person an accessible prescription label affixed to the bottle that:

1. Is available to the person in a timely manner comparable to other patient wait times and will remain available for at least the duration of the prescription;

2. Utilizes audible, large print, or Braille labels that are appropriate to the disability and preference of the person making the request;

3. Conforms to the format-specific best practices established by the U.S. Access Board; and

4. Contains all required label information, including cautions, warnings, and any information available to sighted individuals reading a print label.

D. A pharmacy shall ensure that the prescription label is compatible with a prescription reader.

2. That the Board of Pharmacy shall adopt initial regulations to implement the provisions of this act no later than April 1, 2025. The Board of Pharmacy's initial adoption of regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia), except that the Board of Pharmacy shall consult with organizations of blind or low vision consumers and other individuals who are blind to assist in the development of necessary regulations and shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the regulations prior to adoption.