as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/20/2012 10:45am
Engrossments | ||
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Introduction | Posted on 03/20/2012 |
A bill for an act
relating to prescription drug labeling; establishing best practices; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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This section may be cited as the Prescription Drug
Promotion Act of 2012.
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For purposes of this section:
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(a) "Pharmacy" has the meaning given in section 151.01, subdivision 2, and also
includes a pharmacy that receives prescriptions and dispenses prescriptions through an
Internet Web site.
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(b) "Prescription drug" means a drug subject to section 503(b)(1) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
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(a) The commissioner of
health shall establish a working group to develop and promulgate guidance constituting
best practices on access to prescription drug labeling for persons who are blind and
visually impaired.
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(b) The commissioner shall appoint the members of the working group. Members
shall include representatives of national or Minnesota affiliate organizations representing
blind or visually impaired individuals, national or Minnesota organizations representing
the elderly, and industry groups, including pharmacists, who would be impacted by the
development of best practices. Representation within the working group shall be divided
equally between consumer and industry advocates.
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(c) No later than August 1, 2013, the working group shall establish guidance for
best practices for pharmacies to ensure that blind and visually impaired individuals
have safe, consistent, reliable, and independent access to the information in the labeling
of prescription drugs. The commissioner shall make the guidance available on the
Department of Health Web site.
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(d) In developing and establishing guidance for best practices, the working group
shall consider alternative methods of labeling prescriptions, including:
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(1) braille;
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(2) auditory means, such as:
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(i) talking bottles that provide audible label information; and
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(ii) digital voice recorders attached to the prescription drug container; and
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(3) enhanced visual means, such as:
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(i) large font labels or large font labels that are affixed or matched to a prescription
drug container;
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(ii) high contrast printing; and
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(iii) sans serif font.
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(e) In developing and establishing guidance, the working group shall also consider
whether there are technical, financial, personnel, or other factors unique to pharmacies
with 20 or fewer retail locations that may fundamentally impact the ability of such
pharmacies to implement best practices.
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(f) The working group shall also consider any other factors the working group
deems appropriate.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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