Medication vials that can identify themselves

Managing medications with low vision can be a challenge. Fortunately, some newer technology can make things much easier.

In addition to large print information sheets, Walgreens and CVS offer accessible prescription label options.

Walgreens offers the “Talking Pill Reminder”, which is free of charge to pharmacy customers who are blind or have visual impairments. The device attaches to the bottom of a prescription bottle. The pharmacist can record information found on the prescription label. It also has an audible alarm to help remind patients when to take a specific medication. 

CVS offers the “Scriptalk” talking prescription labels and prescription reader free of charge through its online pharmacy and cvs.com to customers who are blind or visually impaired. Prescriptions ordered through cvs.com may be sent either to a customer’s home or to their local CVS pharmacy. The device reads all of the information found on the prescription label.

We are very pleased to learn about this new technology and believe that it can make taking medications much safer for low vision patients. 

Thank you to Donna Coleman, one of our occupational therapists, for this article.