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Information for Pharmacists and Patients: Format-Specific Best Practices

Audible Prescription Drug Labels:

For dedicated equipment, select devices that provide independent, easy to use start/stop operation, with volume control and earbud access for privacy.

  • If using a voice recorder, speak in a clear voice.
  • Record information in a setting that minimizes background noise and maintains patient privacy.
  • Offer to teach the patient how to operate the audible prescription drug container label.

Braille Prescription Drug Container Labels:

Electronic delivery method: Acquire an electronic delivery method using RFI tags, QR codes, or other processes to provide electronic text of the prescription drug container label upon request. Consumers with electronic braille equipment may then access electronic text in braille format.

When embossing hard copy braille prescription drug container labels:

  • Use contracted (Grade 2) braille.
  • Emboss braille labels on transparent material in order to preserve the legibility of print container labels. Affix braille label to the prescription drug container with strong adhesive.
  • Do not fold braille labels.

Printing Large Print Labels (Hard Copy):

  • Print label in 18-point bold font.
  • Use non-glossy paper or other material that is durable and a size that is easy to manipulate.
  • Use print with highest possible contrast between text and background color (ideally black text on a white or pale yellow background). If printing on both sides, use material that does not print bleed-through from one side to the other.
  • Use sentence case, with the initial capital letter followed by lower-case characters.
  • Use non-condensed, sans-serif font, such as Arial.
  • Provide 1.5-line spacing.
  • Use horizontal text only.
  • Securely affix the large print label to the prescription drug container. • When covering a large print label with protective tape, use non-glossy, transparent tape.

*Excerpts From: Best Practices for Making Prescription Drug Container Label Information Accessible to Persons Who are Blind or Visually-Impaired or Who are Elderly, July 10, 2013 Access Board Working Group on Accessible Prescription Drug Container Labels

For the complete Access Board report, visit: http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/health-care/about-prescription-drug-container-labels/working-group-recommendations

For more information, contact:
Marsha Mazz
(202) 272-0020
TTY: (202) 272-0076
mazz@access-board.gov