Long beach, CA - Assemblywoman Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach) introduced legislation today to require containers of prescription drugs be labeled with the intended purpose of the drug, unless the physician who prescribes the drug, or the patient receiving the drug, specifically requests that the information be omitted.

"Current law does not require the purpose of the medication be written on the container. Most patients are unaware of their right to make such a request to their doctor or pharmacist," said Karnette.

Many prescription drugs have more than one use or purpose. Including the purpose for the prescription drug on the label will reduce the number of telephone calls to doctors and pharmacists requesting information about the purpose of the drug. Further, it will provide a check system between the doctor and pharmacist and prevent patients from taking the wrong drug if they are not certain about the specific purpose of the medication.

"If you are an individual taking multiple medications, and there is no information about the purpose of the drugs on the container, there is a potential for error. My bill is intended to eliminate or greatly reduce the risk of taking the wrong medication," stated Karnette.

The Veteran's Administration pharmacy in Sepulveda, California currently requires their physicians to include the purpose of the medication on all prescriptions. The Food and Drug Administration has proposed bar coding prescription medications given in 47 hospitals across the United States in an effort to reduce medication error.

"This legislation will assist people, especially seniors taking multiple prescriptions. Requiring labels on medications, explaining their intended purpose, is a simple step that could save lives," said Karnette.

The bill is sponsored by the California Senior Legislature.