Press Release : PPLA
Washington, D.C. (July 26, 2024) – Today, the Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association (PPLA) is highlighting a recent report from the American Medical Association addressing the rural health crisis in the United States. The report shows rural Americans have less access to healthcare services, which would worsen if prescription medication information is provided in a digital format requiring reliable internet access.
The AMA report states:
- The United States will have an estimated shortage of 87,000 physicians by 2036.
- About 65% of rural areas have a shortage of primary care doctors.
- 136 rural hospitals closed between 2010 and 2021.
Despite the troubling disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural communities, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering a rule that would exacerbate the rural health crisis by forcing Patient Medication Information (PMI) to a digital format, which would threaten access to essential health information for rural patients who disproportionately lack broadband access. With fewer doctors and restricted access to care, it is crucial that rural patients have all the information they need, including PMI, to take care of their health.
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) underscored how a lack of broadband access contributes to worse health outcomes for rural Americans: “Broadband is considered a superdeterminant of health due to its significant impact on education and employment opportunities. The growing digital divide traps disconnected rural individuals in poverty and limits access to health services and information.”
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 improved PMI attached to all prescriptions, rural patients will have the information they need to stay safe and healthy regardless of their access to broadband.
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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