Journal of Bioequivalence & Bioavailability

Current guidelines and detected discrepancy in pharmacy practice care related to medication and patient safety in the population of the blind and deaf-blind

International Conference and Exhibiton on Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs

6-7 September 2011 Baltimore, USA

Miroslav S. Sarac, LaKeisha George Williams

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: JBB

Abstract:

A recent survey by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) found that people with vision loss are unable to read necessary instructions supplied with prescription and over- the-counter medications. From a pharmacy care prospective, these consequences of not being able to read drug labels may oft en lead to taking the wrong medications, increased anxiety, taking expired medications, taking the incorrect dosage of medication, inability to access the necessary information to refi ll medications on time, and in some extreme cases, becoming ill or having to visit the emergency room. To help the 20 million people with vision loss properly identify prescription medications, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Foundation joined forces with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) to develop ?Guidelines for Prescription Labeling and Consumer Medication Information (CMI) for Persons with Vision Loss.? Th e guidelines provide specifi c recommendations for making medication information accessible to patients with vision loss. However, all of the above facts and factors need to be carefully considered in order to assist blind patients in recognizing prescriptions more effi ciently. Medication-related materials in large prints or grade 1 and 2 Braille (despite existence of Pharmaceutical grade 1 Braille in pharmacy p ractice) are not available for blind or visually impaired patients in pharmacy practice. Unfortunately, despite the lack of disability cultural competence in the pharmacy care system, it seems also the community of blind people is not ready to suggest effi cient accessible way or blind-friendly format for delivery of medications, and health and wellness-related materials.

Biography :

Miroslav S. Sarac has completed his M.S. and Ph.D. from University of Belgrade, Serbia and postdoctoral fellowship from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, and Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA. He is a faculty at the College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans. LaKeisha George Williams has completed her M.S. in Public Health from Tulane University, New Orleans and Pharm.D. from Xavier University, College of Pharmacy, New Orleans, LA. She has completed her postdoctoral- residency program from Xavier University, College of Pharmacy