MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS THAT PATIENTS UNDERSTAND
TYPICAL “TEXT” FORMAT
PATIENT FRIENDLY FORMAT
Urge Congress to require standardized, researched printed information that accompanies all your prescriptions.
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION:
AFTER WRITING TO THE FDA, SUPPORT BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION.
Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act (H.R. 1173)
PROBLEM
There is no government requirement that patients receive printed, standardized and easy to understand instructions with their prescriptions. We think patients need this information to stay safe, be comfortable taking their medication and avoid potentially adverse drug events and unnecessary health costs.
SOLUTION
A bipartisan group of legislators has introduced the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act of 2023 (H.R. 1173) to ensure that patients get a one-page professionally-printed piece with FDA-approved content that is easy for everyone to understand.
TAKE ACTION
Add your name as a citizen co-sponsor of this important legislation. Tell Congress that you deserve easy to understand information about your prescriptions.
PATIENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW THEIR MEDICATION ACT OF 2023:
Representatives Buddy Carter (R-GA), Jared Golden (D-ME), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), and Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) have introduced the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act (H.R. 1173).
This bill would require a one-page, standardized format based on research with REAL patients taking REAL medication to make sure patients can understand and retain information about the drugs they are taking. In addition, this legislation would require FDA approved content to be provided by the drug manufacturer.
WHY CONGRESS NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION:
Currently, there is no government mandated standard for content or format of the medication information that can be included with prescription drugs dispensed to patients. In fact, there is no requirement that this information be dispensed alongside the drugs at all.
This bill would require a one-page, standardized format based on research with REAL patients taking REAL medication to make sure patients can understand and retain information about the drugs they are taking. In addition, this legislation would require FDA approved content to be provided by the drug manufacturer.
We believe that we need a standardized, FDA approved, paper format PMI in order to ensure that patients can efficiently read and comprehend critical drug information, thereby preventing costly errors and increasing compliance with prescribing instructions.
This format is an example of research-based presentation of drug information using color, standard headings and format, minimum font sizes and presentation of side effects. Using a research-based format helps patients understand how to react to side effects and more effectively remember them when starting a new medication.
See what people are saying about the patient friendly format:
HOW THE PATIENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW THEIR MEDICATION ACT WILL HELP:
Specifically, the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act mandates that no later than one year after passing, the FDA must issue final regulations regarding the inclusion of printed paper PMI on all prescribed drugs and that the information include clear and standardized directions, warnings, and measures patients may take, if any, to reduce side effects. Additionally, the bill would require that FDA ensure timely, consistent, and accurate reviews of information as new drugs and new information become available.
With the help of standardized printed PMI attached to prescription drugs, patients will better understand the critical information necessary to avoid preventable adverse drug events thereby saving patients and the health care system millions of dollars.