Press Release

The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association announced new endorsements for the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act (H.R. 5133), aiming to ensure that patients receive clear, printed medication information. Supported by various healthcare organizations, the bill addresses concerns over digital information, emphasizing the importance of printed Patient Medication Information for safety and effective communication.

The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association (PPLA) celebrates National Pharmacy Week while addressing the crisis of ongoing pharmacy closures, particularly in rural areas. Nearly 29% of retail pharmacies closed from 2010 to 2021 due to rising costs and workforce shortages. The FDA’s proposed rule to shift Patient Medication Information to digital formats could further strain pharmacies, risking patient safety and health disparities. The Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act aims to ensure printed medication information is provided to all patients.

The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association’s report critiques the FDA’s proposed prescription drug labeling changes, warning they could impose significant costs on community pharmacies with minimal benefits for patients. It highlights risks to patient comprehension, privacy, and health equity, urging regulators to collaborate with pharmacies for evidence-based solutions before implementation.

U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz and Jared Golden have reintroduced the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act (HR 5133) to ensure all Americans receive printed medication information with prescriptions. This bipartisan bill aims to improve patient safety, particularly in rural areas with limited access to internet and pharmacists, by mandating FDA-approved Patient Medication Information.

The Seattle Times recently highlighted the impact of drugstore closures in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on Bartell Drugs. The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association warns that a proposed FDA regulation could worsen pharmacy access, increasing burdens on pharmacists and risking patient safety by shifting the responsibility for medication information to them.

The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association (PPLA) is advocating for the retention of printed Prescribing Information (PI) and Patient Medication Information (PMI) amidst proposed FDA rules that could limit access. They emphasize that printed materials are vital for rural Americans lacking digital access, urging the Trump administration to protect these resources to ensure medication safety and effective management.

The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association (PPLA) urges Dr. Marty Makary to prioritize patient safety by reversing harmful FDA regulations on printed medication information if confirmed as commissioner. The proposed rules threaten crucial printed instructions for patients and pharmacists, compromising care and safety. PPLA advocates for accessible medication literature to enhance patient involvement.

Following President Trump’s inauguration, PPLA Chairman Dave Joesten urged nominees Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Marty Makary to rescind proposed FDA rules that would limit printed Prescribing and Patient Medication Information. These rules threaten patient safety, particularly for vulnerable populations, while a bipartisan coalition supports legislation for accessible printed information.

On January 12th, National Pharmacist Day highlighted the crucial role pharmacists play amid a wave of pharmacy closures impacting millions of Americans. With 7,000 pharmacies closing since 2019, the FDA’s proposed rule on Patient Medication Information could exacerbate the crisis by increasing costs and workloads, threatening patient access to vital medication guidance.

Since 2019, over 7,000 pharmacies have closed in the U.S., creating pharmacy deserts. This crisis emphasizes the need for accessible printed Patient Medication Information (PMI) for safe medication use. The FDA’s proposed rule limiting PMI access may exacerbate the issue, prompting bipartisan support for the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act to ensure patients receive vital information.