Accessible Prescriptions - What a Difference a Year Makes

The year 2012 has been a great year when it comes to the spread of pharmacies providing accessible prescriptions for the blind and visually impaired.   Several major chains are now beginning to provide free services like ScripTalk in their nationwide mail order programs.  In addition, many of these same pharmacies are now testing inside local stores.  Even some smaller pharmacies are taking note and adding this value added service to their standard offering.

 

Let’s not kid ourselves though; it’s been a massive struggle to get here.  In the beginning, retail pharmacies just refused to see and acknowledge the importance of this issue.  The response of most major pharmacies was that they were “looking into it.”  In actuality, they were hoping it would somehow just go away.  But days turned into months which turned into years.  What they didn’t understand is that accidents happen every day and that adverse drug-related reactions need to stop now, not later!  For heaven sakes, the Department of Veterans Affairs realized this nearly a decade ago when they mandated ScripTalk for all vets. 

People are now signing up for ScripTalk in record numbers. For the first time, these individuals are getting a chance to experience accessible prescriptions for themselves.  Nothing can compare to the peace of mind that comes along with prescription independence.   

We’re glad pharmacies are finally waking up, but there’s still a long way to go.  Although it’s evident that more and more pharmacies are beginning to see the light, plenty needs to be done to make 2013 the year of accessibility inside pharmacies.  Each one of us needs to do our part to keep the pressure on pharmacies.  We need to be unrelenting when it comes to our goals for equality for all.