What's happening
This bill requires the creation and free distribution of a multilingual drug guide for seniors, explaining drug interactions and safety.
Why it matters
Ensures seniors have access to clear, reliable information. about the drugs they use most often, helping them better understand medication purposes, functions, and common interactions—including with alcohol—which can reduce harmful mistakes and adverse reactions.
Targets health equity by requiring the guide in the six most common non-English languages. in New York, addressing language barriers that often prevent seniors from getting full benefit from health information and making it more accessible to immigrant and minority communities.
Mandates continued updates to the guide. , so seniors and caregivers receive current, relevant information as drug recommendations, interactions, and safety knowledge evolve over time.
Requires broad, free distribution through state and community agencies as well as online. , making it easier for seniors without internet access or with limited mobility to obtain the guide, while allowing organizations to distribute larger quantities for a modest fee, supporting outreach and education.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Senior Drug Guide
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to aging
- Referred to aging
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Senior Drug Guide
In Senate Committee · Aging · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3585
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 25, 2017
Introduced by Sens. COMRIE, CARLUCCI, HAMILTON, MONTGOMERY, PARKER, SERRANO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to creating and distributing a drug guide for senior consumers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section 224 to read as follows:
§ 224. Senior drug guide. The director, in conjunction with the state board of pharmacy, and after consultation with the department of health, shall, within amounts made available by appropriation therefor, prepare and publish a guide explaining the purpose, function, and common drug interactions of drugs commonly used by persons over the age of sixtytwo. The guide shall also include the effects of combining such medications with alcohol consumption. Prominently written in at least fourteen point type on the first page of the guide shall be the following caution: "Do not begin taking, stop taking, or alter your dosage of any medications without consulting your doctor or other healthcare practitioner." The director shall take such actions as shall be necessary and appropriate to make such guide available on their website and without charge through designated agencies, as such term is defined in section two hundred fourteen of this title, and in the six most common languages other than English. Requests for more than ten copies shall be subject to a reasonable charge to cover the cost of reproduction and handling. This guide shall be updated as needed to maintain accuracy and relevancy of the information contained therein.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00350-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to creating and distributing a drug guide for senior consumers
Purpose
Provides for the creation of a prescription drug guide for seniors regarding the drugs commonly used by people over 62 years of age.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends the elder law adding a new section 224, to require that the director of SOFA publish a guide explaining the purpose, function, and common drug interactions of drugs commonly used by persons over the age of 62. The director is required to work in conjunction with the state board of pharmacy, and to consult with the Department of Health. This guide must include the effects of combining medications with alcohol, and must have a warning stating: "do not begin taking, stop taking, or alter your dosage of any medications without consulting your doctor or other healthcare practitioner," written in 14 point font. The guide is to be made available to individuals upon request and without charge through local area agencies on aging (AAA's), except that requests for more than ten copies must be subject to a charge to cover the cost of reproduction and handling. This guide will also be available in the six most common languages other than English.
Justification
The creation of a prescription drug guide for seniors would make seniors aware of the specific effects of the drugs seniors commonly use, so they understand the effects the drugs will have on them. Often times, seniors are prescribed a lot of medication and/or self-medicate with over the counter medicines. Certain drug interactions can be life threatening. Seniors need to be made aware of the likely contraindications of certain commonly prescribed drugs and over the counter medications.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.7739 Referred to Aging/A.422 Passed Assembly 2013-14: S.2239 - Referred to Aging/A.363 - Passed Assembly 2011-12: S.2179-A- Advanced to Third Reading/A.2154-A- Passed Assembly 2009-10: S.2031- Reported to Finance/A.1962- Passed Assembly 2007-08: S.S6854- Referred to Aging A.6278-A- Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
This bill is subject to making an appropriation.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.