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Fruth Pharmacy offers talking Rx label for visually impaired

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POINT PLEASANT, W.Va — This month, Fruth Pharmacy plans to help demonstrate a new talking prescription label for the visually impaired.

Fruth AccessaMed talking Rx label

AccessaMed digital audio prescription label

The regional drug chain has rolled out the AccessaMed prescription label to all of its 26 stores in West Virginia and Ohio. Visually impaired patients simply push a button on the electronic label, which permanently adheres to the prescription bottle or package, and instructions for taking the medicine are provided in a clear, loud voice.

Taking prescription medication can be an unsafe situation for people who have difficulty reading a label, Fruth noted, adding that the digital audio label doesn’t require complicated reading systems for use. The printed label also is on the prescription bottle for caregivers or others offering assistance.

“We saw a need in the community with several of our patients,” Tim Weber, vice president of pharmacy at Fruth, said in a statement. “We started researching a way to resolve this issue to help visually impaired patients with medication adherence. Persons unable to read or understand printed text will also find this technology beneficial. AccessaMed helped us fill our communities’ needs.”

Blind, low-vision and senior customers may find that the audio label makes prescription-taking safer, easier and more effective as they are better able to understand the prescriber’s directions, according to Fruth.

“This is an amazing advance in technology to help improve the day to day life of our patients,” stated Drew Massey, clinical service coordinator at Fruth.

On June 13, Massey will be on hand at the Cabell County Public Library with Brad Hodges, president of the National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia, Huntington Area Chapter, to demonstrate the AccessaMed audio prescription label.

“Having Equal access to all of the printed information which appears on prescription packaging is a very important thing,” Hodges explained. “When it comes to taking prescription medication, a mixup could potentially be life-threatening. AccessaMed’s new audio label will improve the safety of prescription medication for many who experience low to no vision, or other print [reading] disabilities.”

Hodges also cited the benefits of Fruth’s delivery service. Under the program, unveiled in December, those who qualify can receive free local delivery of prescriptions, and additional products such as over-the-counter medicines, grocery items and gifts can be ordered. Customers can order products through their local Fruth store via phone.

“Other items can be delivered along with your prescription,” he noted. “I checked it out; prices are reasonable. You expect to pay a premium for convenience, but not at Fruth Pharmacy. The price of using cabs really adds up over a month, so for our members who don’t have a regular driver this service can be extremely beneficial.”


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