Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) cosponsored legislation reintroduced today by Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME) to ensure seniors, rural communities, and their pharmacists have access to important information about their prescription medications. The Patients' Right to Know Their Medication Act of 2021 would require drug manufacturers to include printed inserts containing drug information when they ship their products to pharmacies.

"While many pharmacies already provide information to patients about their prescriptions, some rural communities and seniors are left without vital instructions, especially in communities without reliable broadband," said Westerman. "Misunderstanding dosage or instructions can have serious consequences on a patient's health that could have otherwise been easily avoided. Commonsense legislation such as this could save a life."

"Many of my constituents don't have good access to the internet or aren't comfortable using it to get important information," said Golden. "By requiring this medication information be printed, our bipartisan bill will help rural Mainers and seniors safely use their medication and support hundreds of jobs in Madawaska and our state's forest products industry."

Background

Pharmacies often provide printed medication information for patients, however, they are not required to do so under current law. As a result, some patients never receive important information on the safety, dosage, and other details of their prescriptions, which may result in negative health consequences. Printed information is particularly important in rural areas where internet access is often unreliable and for senior populations who may not regularly use computers.

Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) joined Rep Westerman in cosponsoring the legislation.