Dan Coats: “The Medguide issue is an issue that arose in the Labor and Human Resources Committee discussion of the Food and Drug…”

“The Medguide issue is an issue that arose in the Labor and Human Resources Committee discussion of the Food and Drug Administration reform effort. Medguide is an attempt by pharmacies and pharmacists to provide consumers information relative to the drugs that are prescribed by those pharmacists. The industry has attempted in the last few years to prepare software which would allow them to prepare leaflets and information for distribution to their patients, those seeking to have their prescriptions filled at the pharmacies, which would provide those consumers with information about the impact of those drugs on their health, the dosage, what contraindications might be necessary; in other words, warnings as to what the side effects are, warnings to not mix these drugs with certain other drugs that the patient may be taking, and so forth. An example of these are--I hold these up. Here is one from Eckerd, ``RX Adviser,'' for the drug Novolin. It is easily readable. It describes the prescription number, the date on which the prescription was filled, the directions to the individual taking the prescription, and then it lists how to use this medicine. It is formatted in bold type. It has cautions and possible side effects, and it is very consumer friendly. It catches your eye. It grabs your attention. It is in different colors.…”