OTC labeling for the elderly
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
New York State Assembly bill 9314 would require all OTCs taken orally bear the cautionary statement, "Warning to persons sixty years of age and older: It is recommended that you consult a physician or pharmacist with regard to appropriate drug usage." Introduced Jan. 13 and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs & Protection, the bill is identical to Senate bill 3744, introduced last March. In a memorandum of support, Sen. Serphin Maltese (R) notes the elderly often take multiple drugs simultaneously, increasing "their chance of experiencing an adverse reaction...[and] the potential for drug interactions." He also notes OTCs can reduce Rx drugs' effectiveness. "Pharmacists and physicians are in a key position to alert senior citizens to proper usage and prolonged effects of multiple drug interactions," the memo concludes