Resolution 2025-4: Nonvisual Accessibility for Prescription Medications

Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-4

Subject: Nonvisual Accessibility for Prescription Medications

Whereas, access to essential prescription medications is a crucial component of public health, well-being, and critical to life; and

Whereas, blind, low-vision, and print-disabled individuals are responsible for both their own healthcare and for those they care for, including their children, spouses, and parents; and

Whereas, free and equal access to prescription warnings, side effects, dosage, and directions is a fundamental right; and

Whereas, significant barriers currently exist that impede equal access to necessary prescription drug information; and

Whereas, the lack of timely and accessible directions in Braille, large print, and audio formats for drug information, warnings, and directions on prescription medications can lead to adverse health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, allergic reactions, emergency room visits, reduced productivity, decreased independence, and in rare cases cause death; and

Whereas, technological advancements and innovation in healthcare offer opportunities to broaden the availability of accessible labeling for pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies; and

Whereas, the Iowa Legislature recognizes the importance of Iowans with disabilities to have access in all sectors, including healthcare; and

Whereas, Senate File 202 seeks to mandate the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to develop and implement rules for accessible prescription drug labels and related materials at no additional cost and in the same timeframe as other consumers enjoy; and

Whereas, this legislation aligns with the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is similar to legislation passed by other states, includingNevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Minnesota, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico.

Therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in Convention assembled this twenty-third day of August, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa that this organization ask the Health and Human Services subcommittee members--Senator Klimesh, Senator Costello, and Senator Petersen--to recognize the urgent need to ensure equitable access to prescription drug labels, warnings, side effects, directions, and dosage information for individuals with print disabilities; and

Be it further resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind impel the Health and Human Services Committee to pass Senate File 202 and place it on the legislative calendar to be voted on and passed by the Iowa state senate; and

Be it further resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind call upon all members of the Iowa Senate to vote in favor of Senate File 202 to promote the safety, independence, and well-being of all Iowans; and

Be it finally resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind advocate to Iowa’s legislators that they swiftly pass this bill, finally making accessible prescription information and labels a reality for blind, low vision, and print-disabled Iowans.

 Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-4

Subject: Nonvisual Accessibility for Prescription Medications

Whereas, access to essential prescription medications is a crucial component of public health, well-being, and critical to life; and

Whereas, blind, low-vision, and print-disabled individuals are responsible for both their own healthcare and for those they care for, including their children, spouses, and parents; and

Whereas, free and equal access to prescription warnings, side effects, dosage, and directions is a fundamental right; and

Whereas, significant barriers currently exist that impede equal access to necessary prescription drug information; and

Whereas, the lack of timely and accessible directions in Braille, large print, and audio formats for drug information, warnings, and directions on prescription medications can lead to adverse health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, allergic reactions, emergency room visits, reduced productivity, decreased independence, and in rare cases cause death; and

Whereas, technological advancements and innovation in healthcare offer opportunities to broaden the availability of accessible labeling for pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies; and

Whereas, the Iowa Legislature recognizes the importance of Iowans with disabilities to have access in all sectors, including healthcare; and

Whereas, Senate File 202 seeks to mandate the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to develop and implement rules for accessible prescription drug labels and related materials at no additional cost and in the same timeframe as other consumers enjoy; and

Whereas, this legislation aligns with the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is similar to legislation passed by other states, includingNevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Minnesota, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico.

Therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in Convention assembled this twenty-third day of August, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa that this organization ask the Health and Human Services subcommittee members--Senator Klimesh, Senator Costello, and Senator Petersen--to recognize the urgent need to ensure equitable access to prescription drug labels, warnings, side effects, directions, and dosage information for individuals with print disabilities; and

Be it further resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind impel the Health and Human Services Committee to pass Senate File 202 and place it on the legislative calendar to be voted on and passed by the Iowa state senate; and

Be it further resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind call upon all members of the Iowa Senate to vote in favor of Senate File 202 to promote the safety, independence, and well-being of all Iowans; and

Be it finally resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind advocate to Iowa’s legislators that they swiftly pass this bill, finally making accessible prescription information and labels a reality for blind, low vision, and print-disabled Iowans.

 Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-4

Subject: Nonvisual Accessibility for Prescription Medications

Whereas, access to essential prescription medications is a crucial component of public health, well-being, and critical to life; and

Whereas, blind, low-vision, and print-disabled individuals are responsible for both their own healthcare and for those they care for, including their children, spouses, and parents; and

Whereas, free and equal access to prescription warnings, side effects, dosage, and directions is a fundamental right; and

Whereas, significant barriers currently exist that impede equal access to necessary prescription drug information; and

Whereas, the lack of timely and accessible directions in Braille, large print, and audio formats for drug information, warnings, and directions on prescription medications can lead to adverse health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, allergic reactions, emergency room visits, reduced productivity, decreased independence, and in rare cases cause death; and

Whereas, technological advancements and innovation in healthcare offer opportunities to broaden the availability of accessible labeling for pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies; and

Whereas, the Iowa Legislature recognizes the importance of Iowans with disabilities to have access in all sectors, including healthcare; and

Whereas, Senate File 202 seeks to mandate the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to develop and implement rules for accessible prescription drug labels and related materials at no additional cost and in the same timeframe as other consumers enjoy; and

Whereas, this legislation aligns with the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is similar to legislation passed by other states, includingNevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Minnesota, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico.

Therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in Convention assembled this twenty-third day of August, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa that this organization ask the Health and Human Services subcommittee members--Senator Klimesh, Senator Costello, and Senator Petersen--to recognize the urgent need to ensure equitable access to prescription drug labels, warnings, side effects, directions, and dosage information for individuals with print disabilities; and

Be it further resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind impel the Health and Human Services Committee to pass Senate File 202 and place it on the legislative calendar to be voted on and passed by the Iowa state senate; and

Be it further resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind call upon all members of the Iowa Senate to vote in favor of Senate File 202 to promote the safety, independence, and well-being of all Iowans; and

Be it finally resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind advocate to Iowa’s legislators that they swiftly pass this bill, finally making accessible prescription information and labels a reality for blind, low vision, and print-disabled Iowans.