HB 123, the Pharmacy Accessibility Amendments, updates Utah’s pharmacy labeling laws to require pharmacies to provide an accessible prescription label when a patient identifies as blind, visually impaired, or otherwise unable to read a standard label and requests one. The bill specifies that the accessible label should be provided in a timely manner comparable to other patient wait times and may be offered in large print, braille, or an auditory format depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. If the label is auditory, it must be compatible with the patient’s device designed to audibly convey prescription information.
In addition to the accessibility requirement, the bill makes technical and conforming changes to existing prescription-order and labeling provisions in Utah Code Section 58-17b-602. It preserves the general labeling requirements for dispensed drugs, including pharmacy identification, prescription number, patient name, prescriber name, directions for use, dosage information, and beyond-use date, while also retaining existing exceptions for hospital and multidose-container dispensing. The bill has a special effective date of May 7, 2026, and does not appropriate any money.
Impact
The bill amends Utah’s pharmacy practice statutes by adding a new obligation for pharmacies to accommodate patients who need accessible prescription labels. This affects pharmacies and pharmacists statewide by creating a patient-requested accessibility duty tied to prescription dispensing, while leaving the core labeling framework in place. The measure also makes conforming edits to the statute’s numbering and cross-references, but does not create a new funding mechanism or alter unrelated health-care licensing provisions.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong and unanimous support in committee, with two recorded House committee actions both passing 14-0. No committee transcript is provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate opposition or concern. Overall, the bill appears to have been received favorably as a consumer-accessibility measure with limited controversy in the available record.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. The main policy issue implied by the text is the practical burden on pharmacies to provide accessible labels in a timely manner and in formats such as braille, large print, or audio, including compatibility with patient devices. Any concern would likely center on implementation logistics, cost, and workflow for pharmacies, but the recorded committee votes do not show active opposition.
A bill for an act relating to pharmacy benefits managers, pharmacies, prescription drugs, and pharmacy services administrative organizations, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1074.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2025.