CVS/pharmacy Now Offers "Talking" Prescription Labels Through its Online Pharmacy for Individuals with Vision Impairments

PRESS RELEASE

WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --CVS/pharmacy announced today that it now provides ScripTalk talking prescription labels for prescriptions ordered for home delivery through its online pharmacy, CVS.com. The ScripTalk labels provide a safe and convenient way to access information on prescription labels for individuals who cannot read standard print.The ScripTalk labels are free to CVS.com pharmacy customers who are blind or visually impaired. Customers can also obtain a free ScripTalk reader from Envision America that will enable them to listen to the information on the ScripTalk label.

"We are pleased to offer the ScripTalk service to our online pharmacy customers who are visually impaired," said Josh Flum, Senior Vice President of Retail Pharmacy at CVS Caremark. "Enhancing access to important information about prescriptions is in keeping with our purpose of helping people on their path to better health."

Today's announcement is the result of collaboration between CVS/pharmacy, the American Foundation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind and California Council of the Blind. These groups applauded CVS/pharmacy's actions.

"The lack of accessible labels on prescription drug containers puts people with vision loss at serious risk of medication mishaps," said Paul Schroeder, Vice President of Programs & Policy at the American Foundation for the Blind. "We applaud CVS/pharmacy for taking steps to provide speech access to label information for customers with vision loss along with its willingness to evaluate methods to improve large print labels."

"This agreement is a positive step that allows for a greater level of privacy, safety, and independence for blind and visually impaired Americans of all ages who take prescription medications," said Kim Charlson, president of the American Council of the Blind.

"The California Council of the Blind applauds CVS's willingness to offer access to the information on prescription medication labels. As a result of this initiative, persons who are blind or visually impaired who use CVS mail order to fill their prescription needs will have the same direct, and independent access to label information as do sighted customers," stated Donna Pomerantz, President, California Council of the Blind.