ScripTalk, a prescription labelling solution for individuals with vision or print disabilities has now arrived in Australia after a successful pilot program.
ScripTalk works by using a free table-top device or a smartphone that will read a medication label out loud based on data contained in the tag . To create the accessible label, the pharmacist places a small electronic tag on the prescription package. The information provided includes drug name, dosage, instructions, warnings, pharmacy contact information, doctor name, prescription number and date. Using simple controls, a patient can jump forward and back through medication information. The service is free to anyone who requests it at a participating pharmacy.
The Ship-Talk Station, is able to read out medications instructions given by the doctor and pharmacist.
The company behind ScripTalk, En-Vision America and its international subsidiary, EVATech, has partnered with more than 15,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Canada to offer ScripTalk. Serving both large and small pharmacy chains, they have provided free talking prescription labels to more than 30,000 patients. In Australia, EVATech officials are working with Blind Citizens Australia to raise awareness focused on medication safety and independence. EVATech have offered to assist users if their pharmacy doesn’t currently offer the service.
The ScripTalk mobile application, is available on IOS and android.
CFA Australia welcomes the rollout of this free service in Australia to support people with print disabilities to independently access their prescription information. While it is possible to use alternatives such as smartphone apps to take photos of labels which can then be read out, the benefit of this product is it removes the risk factor that the OCR process hasn’t identified all the information correctly. Additional information on the service can be found at www.EVATech.com or by e-mailing inquiries@evatech.com.
