For persons who are blind, visually impaired, or living with reading challenges, something as routine as taking medication can be stressful and risky. Small print and complex medication instructions can make it difficult to take medication safely and independently.
An assistive technology now available in Jamaica is helping to solve that problem. ScripTalk, a talking prescription-labelling system, allows patients to hear their medication instructions read aloud, improving safety and accessibility.
The device was demonstrated by Joong Pharmacy at the Golden Designs’ Caregivers Masterclass: Dementia and Mental Wellness, held recently at Regardless (The Manley Centre) in St Andrew.
ScripTalk works by using a special Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) label placed on prescription containers by a pharmacist. When the bottle is scanned using a ScripTalk Station device or the ScripTalk mobile app, the device reads the medication information aloud, including the drug name, dosage instructions, warnings, pharmacy details, and refill dates.
Dorraine Panton, chief pharmacist and manager at Joong Pharmacy, said the technology is designed to improve medication accessibility and patient safety.
“ScripTalk improves medication access for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or have reading challenges,” Panton explained. “It helps make pharmacy services more inclusive in Jamaica by giving patients audible access to their prescription information. It promotes safety, privacy, independence and dignity in medication use.”
Caregivers attending the masterclass welcomed the innovation, noting its potential to reduce medication errors and support independent living among older adults and persons living with disabilities.
Practical Nurse Alvarene Daley described the device as a valuable support for caregivers.
“If your parent or the person you are caring for cannot read the prescription, the pharmacy offers a service where you can come in and ask for help,” Daley said. “They will sort out the medication using ScripTalk, so you can understand exactly what to give.”
More than half of the attendees at the caregiver’s masterclass rated the ScripTalk presentation as very interesting, with many noting that they had never previously heard of a device that could read prescription labels aloud.
In addition to the ScripTalk Station, the technology is also available through the ScripTalk mobile app for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access the same audible prescription information using their smartphones. The technology supports more than 50 languages and allows users to hear their medication information privately and independently.
Joong Pharmacy is currently in discussions with the Jamaica Society for the Blind to expand access to the technology among members of the visually impaired community.
Persons interested in accessing ScripTalk are encouraged to speak with their pharmacists, who can source the device and provide prescriptions with the special talking labels.
keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com
