Don't hang up

Senators approved three exemptions to the state's Do Not Call list Wednesday, allowing robocalls for safety recalls and prescription orders.

The Do Not Call registry allows N.C. residents to sign up, and telemarketers are prohibited from calling them unless they have a previous business relationship.

The bill, approved 45 to 0, allows manufacturers or government agencies that are recalling a product for health and safety reasons to use automatic dialing technology to make unsolicited calls.

A company or government agency could make the calls for the recall of a prescription drug or over the counter drug, and a pharmacy could call to alert a customer that they failed to pick up their prescription.

Sen. Josh Stein, a Raleigh Democrat, emphasized that the message may not include any solicitation and has to identify what company or agency is calling.

The bill goes back to the House to approve or reject Senate changes.