HF 2944

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/20/2012 10:45am

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:

Section 1.

new text begin [145.58] PRESCRIPTION DRUG LABELING.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Short title. new text end

new text begin This section may be cited as the Prescription Drug
Promotion Act of 2012.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section:
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Prescription drug" means a drug subject to section 503(b)(1) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Establishment of working group; duties. new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (d) In developing and establishing guidance for best practices, the working group
shall consider alternative methods of labeling prescriptions, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) braille;
new text end

new text begin (2) auditory means, such as:
new text end

new text begin (i) talking bottles that provide audible label information; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) digital voice recorders attached to the prescription drug container; and
new text end

new text begin (3) enhanced visual means, such as:
new text end

new text begin (i) large font labels or large font labels that are affixed or matched to a prescription
drug container;
new text end

new text begin (ii) high contrast printing; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) sans serif font.
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (f) The working group shall also consider any other factors the working group
deems appropriate.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end