HB5505 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 37980 RTM 68112 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5505

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Kevin John Olickal

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 85/15.15 new

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that 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. Provides that if a person informs the pharmacy that the person is blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled, then the pharmacy shall provide to the person an accessible prescription label affixed to the bottle and the conditions of that label. Provides that a pharmacy shall ensure that a prescription label is compatible with the prescription reader if a prescription reader is provided. Provides that the provisions do not apply to prescription drugs dispensed or administered by an institutional pharmacy or correctional institution. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules to implement these provisions.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Pharmacy Practice Act is amended by adding Section 15.15 as follows:

(225 ILCS 85/15.15 new)

Sec. 15.15. Accessible prescription labels.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Prescription reader" means a device that is designed to audibly convey the information contained on the label of a prescription drug.

"Institutional pharmacy" means a pharmacy that is part of or is operated in conjunction with any of the following health care facilities: hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, nursing home, residential care facility, freestanding rehabilitation facility, hospice care program, home and community-based service provider, residential facility for individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities, or any similar health care facility.

(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 the person is blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled, then the pharmacy shall provide to 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 time and lasts for at least the duration of the prescription;

(2) is appropriate to the disability of the person making the request through use of large print, braille, or other appropriate methods;

(3) conforms to the format specific best practices as established by the United States Access Board; and

(4) contains all the label information required by State statute and federal law, including cautions, warnings, and any other information available to sighted individuals reading the printed label.

(d) A pharmacy shall ensure that a prescription label is compatible with the prescription reader if a prescription reader is provided.

(e) This Section does not apply to prescription drugs dispensed or administered by an institutional pharmacy or correctional institution.

(f) The Department shall adopt rules to implement this Section.