Oregon board pioneers anti-error labeling
New law targets outpatient clinics
Oregon's state pharmacy board has become the nation's first to pass a regulation calling for accuracy labels affixed to prescription vials.
Set to take effect Jan. 1, 2000, the regulation mainly targets outpatient or community settings where patients take home prescriptions. The labeling requires that a written description and ID code of the prescription accompany the vial allowing for comparison with the medicine inside by both pharmacists and patients. The state's pharmacy board is planning to phase in photos of the meds on the labels as well.
Pharmacies affected in Oregon will have to absorb the cost of the software and printers that will be needed. While applauding the move's potential to cut down on medication errors, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores says it will monitor and comment on the costs of the new regulation if the organization feels it's necessary.
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