Press Release: PPLA
Washington, DC (May 10, 2024) – Today, the Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association (PPLA) is highlighting a recent report from the Department of Agriculture showing widening gaps in mortality rates between rural and urban populations in the United States. A recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed rule would widen the gap in mortality rates by forcing Patient Medication Information (PMI) to a digital-only format, jeopardizing access to critical health information for rural patients without broadband access.
The Problem:
- According to the USDA, in 1999 the natural-cause mortality rate for rural Americans ages 25 to 54 was only 6% higher than for urban Americans. In 2019, it was 43% higher.
- Many rural Americans on prescription medication rely on Patient Medication Information (PMI), the printed information detailing a drug’s instructions and potential side effects, to stay informed and stay healthy. However, the FDA recently proposed a rule which would push PMI online, forcing patients to access PMI by scanning a QR code.
- Digital-only PMI would exacerbate urban-rural health disparities due to a severe lack of broadband access in rural areas. Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program, which helped provide broadband for 1-in-6 American households, expired April 2024.
- Medication misunderstanding leads to fatal errors: 50% of patients with chronic conditions experience medication non-adherence, which takes over 100,000 lives every year.
The Solution:
- The Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act (H.R. 1173) introduced by Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Jared Golden (D-ME), and Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). H.R 1173 would ensure that all patients have access to standardized, printed versions of PMI.
- With clear, accessible PMI attached to all prescription drugs, rural patients will better understand their prescriptions and avoid potentially fatal medication non-adherence.
The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association
Chartered in 2001, the PPLA serves as the voice for our members, advocating for patient safety and risk communication by fighting to keep information on paper and readily accessible for patients and caregivers. This information helps drive the patient involvement model of health care, helping patients get the maximum benefits from the powerful drugs they take while minimizing risk.
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