CVS Pharmacy, the major USA pharmaceutical outlet, has announced that it has developed Spoken Rx, a new feature of the company’s app that can read a specific type of label for patients with visual impairments and those who cannot read standard print labels. Spoken Rx is the first in-app prescription reader application to be developed by a national retail pharmacy, it says.

By the end of 2020, 1,500 CVS Pharmacy locations will be equipped to fix special RFID labels to prescription vials. When the RFID labels are scanned by Spoken Rx in the app, which can be accessed by users using Siri or Google Assistant on their phones, prescription label information will be spoken out loud. This information, which is important for patient safety and adherence, currently includes patient name, medication name, dosage and directions and will be enhanced to include additional information over the months to come. The feature will be available in all CVS locations by the end of 2021.

Enrollment in the program is seamless and can be done either over the phone or in store where a pharmacist can ensure the patient’s app is appropriately set up for the service. Spoken Rx is free to CVS Pharmacy patients and the app will read prescription label information aloud in either English or Spanish.

“The in-app feature gives patients more flexibility, providing the relevant prescription information out loud wherever and whenever they need it,” said Ryan Rumbarger, senior VP, store operations at CVS Health. “Spoken Rx provides a more seamless experience to our patients who are visually impaired.”

This announcement is the result of collaboration between CVS Pharmacy and the American Council of the Blind, which worked with CVS and tested the technology throughout its development.

“Spoken Rx is a positive step that offers same-day, access for prescriptions filled in CVS stores, allowing for a greater level of privacy, safety, and independence for blind and visually impaired customers of all ages,” said Kim Charlson, immediate past president of the American Council of the Blind.” We’re pleased about this addition to the existing braille, audio, and large print accessible prescription label offerings provided by CVS Caremark and CVS.com.”