Pharmacies will now notify patients of dangerous medication recalls

“By enacting this legislation, we reduce the likelihood of any New Yorker being exposed to harmful medication,” said Queens Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal. Photo via Pixabay.

By Victoria Merlino

A new bill that requires pharmacies to notify patients when their medications get recalled was signed into law last week, thanks to the efforts of a Northeastern and Southeastern Queens teamup.

Northeastern Queens Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal and Southeastern Queens State Sen. Leroy Comrie sponsored the bill in their respective chambers.

“Pharmacies are often the last point of contact between a patient and their prescription,” said Rosenthal. “By enacting this legislation, we reduce the likelihood of any New Yorker being exposed to harmful medication.”

The bill requires pharmacies to notify patients when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues a Class I recall of a product, the highest level of recall that denotes a serious risk to patients. 

Pharmacies will have three days from learning of a Class I recall to notify patients through letters or a call.  

 "Every year, the FDA recalls thousands of potentially harmful prescriptions and over the counter drugs, though countless consumers are never made aware that their medication may be putting their health in danger,” Comrie said. “This new consumer protection law will put the onus of responsibility for monitoring and informing patients of significant prescription drug recalls on the pharmacies distributing them, so timely and effective patient notification and consultation occurs at the neighborhood level.”