NAPSI l August 2, 2023
There is good news for many in the visually impaired community, and for anyone who has trouble reading standard print labels.
Prescription management and medication adherence can be particularly difficult when it’s difficult to see the label.
However, there’s CVS Pharmacy’s Spoken Rx®, a digital solution that makes managing prescriptions easier and more accessible by reading important prescription information aloud. It also serves as an important tool for people experiencing literacy or language difficulties, or dyslexia.
With Spoken Rx, patients can hear their prescription information read aloud by scanning an RFID (radio frequency identification) sticker on the bottom of their prescription bottle or package. It is available for free to all patients at CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide. As the first in-app prescription reader application developed by a national retail pharmacy, Spoken Rx is an extension of other helpful tools offered by CVS Pharmacy like large-print accessible prescription labels.
“I lost the majority of my vision at 14 due to Retinitis Pigmentosa and I can tell you, when you’re blind, every bit of independence matters. I know first-hand how much of a difference it makes being able to manage my prescriptions on my own without having to ask for help,” said Molly Burke, social media influencer and advocate. “Spoken Rx has been a game-changer for me and others in my community. It’s so easy to use and allows me to keep my own medical information private, which is so important. I appreciate that CVS Pharmacy is prioritizing innovations that help all its customers, including people like me, and I’m looking forward to seeing the ways in which CVS continues to grow its accessibility and digital offerings.”
How Spoken Rx works
To use Spoken Rx, patients or companions must download the CVS Pharmacy app from the iOS App Store or Google Play, then:
• Open the CVS Pharmacy app using Siri or Google Assistant, select the “Pharmacy” tile on the homepage.
• Navigate to the “tools & settings” section and select “Spoken Rx”.
• The device prompts users to scan the bottle, bring the RFID tag on the bottom of the prescription vial near the device’s camera.
• If the RFID tag is read correctly, the prescription information will display on the screen and the app will speak prescription information out loud.
What prescription information can be read aloud?
Information that can be read aloud by Spoken Rx in either English or Spanish includes:
• Patient name
• Medication name
• Dosage and directions
• Pharmacy address
• Pharmacy phone number
• Prescription number
• Dispensed quantity
• Refills remaining
• Prescriber name
• Fill date
• Discard after date
The development and continued enhancement of Spoken Rx illustrates CVS Pharmacy’s role in serving people’s unique needs by delivering them innovative solutions no matter where they are on their health journey.
How to Sign up
You can enroll for free either over-the-phone or in-store, where a pharmacist can ensure the patient’s app is appropriately set up for the service. To find a CVS Pharmacy near you or to learn more about Spoken Rx, please visit www.CVS.com/SpokenRx.
Don’t Let Flu Season Sneak Up On You
NAPSI l September 20, 2022
Get the facts, not the flu. For many people, the start of fall means busier schedules and longer to-do lists, but you shouldn’t let your annual flu shot fall to the bottom of that list.
What You Can Do About The Flu
With flu season approaching and COVID-19 cases still prevalent, Sandra Leal, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA, offers the following tips to help you fight the flu this season:
• Get your annual flu shot as soon as possible: Getting your flu vaccine is the best way to help prevent the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting your vaccine as early in the fall as possible, ideally before the flu season begins. Not only can you help protect yourself from getting sick but you can help protect your family, friends and at-risk populations such as those who are 65 and older, people with certain immunocompromising or chronic medical conditions, infants or children under 5 and pregnant women. CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations nationwide administer the flu shot every day, with evening and weekend hours. New this year, you can schedule flu vaccination appointments for up to four family members at the same time for added convenience by visiting CVS.com, through the CVS app or by texting FLU to 287898.
• Stay home if you’re sick: It’s important to know what the early symptoms of the flu are, such as fever, cough and body aches. If you experience them, you should stay home and away from others and, if you are sick, you should limit your contact with others as much as possible to stop the spread.
• Practice good health habits: Beyond staying up to date with your vaccinations, you should wash your hands frequently, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. These are all healthy habits that can help support your immune system during flu season.
• For seniors, take advantage of your vaccine options: For those over age 65, CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic offer three senior dose flu vaccines—Fluzone HD, Flublok, and Fluad. They may help create a stronger immune response and are preferred for seniors because they are at greater risk of developing severe flu-related illnesses. For protection against COVID-19, the CDC has also confirmed that patients can get any of the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as the flu vaccine, so don’t hesitate to get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster simultaneously during your next visit.
Learn More
Certain immunizations have age and location restrictions. For additional information on vaccines, visit www.CVS.com and www.MinuteClinic.com.
CDPH, Community Groups Wrap Kids’ COVID Wellness in Fun Outdoor Events
By California Black Media | June 15, 2022
On Tuesday, Feb. 15, the statewide indoor mask mandate for vaccinated Californians expires.
(CBM) – Efforts continue in California to raise awareness and encourage youth to become fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
As of June 9, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported 1.4 million cases of COVID-19 among youth aged 5-17, which accounted for 15.5% of all cases in the state. There have been 46 deaths among children in this age group. For children below five years old, 293,607 confirmed cases have been reported and 25 deaths.
Now that the federal government has lifted age restrictions on who can receive vaccinations, community organizations have partnered with healthcare providers and public health advocates serving California to host events across the state encouraging young people to take the shot. They are reminding the young people about the importance of protecting themselves and family members from spreading the deadly disease.
In May 21, the Akoma Unity Center in San Bernardino hosted an event titled ‘Spring into Wellness.’ Participants enjoyed activities like complimentary yoga in the park, Zumba and Capoeira lessons, a petting zoo and crafting activities. The event also featured a live DJ, complementary food and fun activities for youth to participate in. The vaccination clinic at the event, sponsored by the CDPH and delivered by SnapNurse, a health care staffing agency, delivered over 20 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to children, teens and adults.
On June 3, the Summer Movies in the Park Pre-Show Family Fun event took place at Alec Fergusson Park in Rialto where vaccination rates are amongst the lowest in the state. Currently, only 58% of Rialto residents have been fully vaccinated. The event was attended by over 250 people and featured a complimentary dinner and gourmet kettle corn. It featured a variety of activities held to engage children, including face painting, balloon twisting, bouncy houses, bubble blowing and a photo booth. Informational resource booths were available for attendees and another vaccination clinic, also sponsored by the CDPH delivered over 20 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
On Saturday, June 4, about 70 miles away in Inglewood, CDPH and Vaccinate All 58, a governor’s office initiative created to respond to COVID, hosted ‘The Family Reunion: A Day of Fun for the Whole Family’ in Inglewood. Families came out and participated in an array of fun activities offered along with various health services. Children received Marvel Comics-inspired coloring books featuring the adventures of superhero duo “Vaccine” and her big brother “Booster.” Stepyourgameup.org, a virtual realty mobile gaming service, provided a 50-foot video game arcade hosted by a hip-hop -inspired character, “Homeboy the Clown,” who led children in a spirited dance and exercise session. Throughout the day, the street DJs of KJLH 102.3 radio free station and Guy Black provided music.
Some of the health services offered included eye examinations and eyesight evaluation. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Health Center also provided free, safe and effective vaccine and booster shots to families along with preventive care health screenings like blood pressure and temperature readings. Fifty-dollar Amazon gift cards were awarded to lucky participants who visited three of the health vendors.
Across California last week, COVID-19 deaths leveled at one the lowest points since the pandemic began with a weekly average of one death on June 7. That same day, the CDPH reported a weekly average of 13,742 cases.
Get more information on where you or a loved one can get a COVID shot or booster.
