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November 19, 2014
State Laws Require Translation of Drug Labels for
Sacramento, CA—With two of the most populous states in the nation requiring some level of prescription drug–label translation into languages other than English, pharmacists might be wondering if other states are likely to be far behind.
Non-English Speakers The California Board of Pharmacy, which since 2011 has provided standard label directions (SIGS) in five languages other than English—Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Vietnamese—on a voluntary basis, now is considering new rules requiring their use. The board provides SIGS in 21 variations under each language. About 44% of California residents speak a language other than English, and more than half of those residents speak limited or no English, according to recent census data. The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, meanwhile, has reported that about one-third of the California residents gaining health coverage through the Affordable Care Act speak limited English. When the California pharmacy board redesigned prescription labels in 2011 to make them more user friendly, it only required the availability of oral interpreter services at the pharmacy counter. After a forum on further patient-focused label redesign, however, the translation proposal was back on the table. The proposals are being reviewed by a board committee before their consideration by the full board of pharmacy in late January. California Pharmacists Association CEO Jon Roth has said that most pharmacists in California believe that the current translation requirements are appropriate and no further changes are necessary. The main concern is how pharmacists could ensure the accuracy of the translation and whether they would be liable for errors related to translated labels in languages they don’t read or understand. Two years ago, New York passed the Safe Rx Act in 2012 requiring pharmacy chains of eight stores or more to provide oral interpretation at the pharmacy either in person or by phone. Pharmacies are required to immediately offer translated prescription labels in Chinese, Italian, Russian, or Spanish to customers with limited English proficiency, although additional languages may be added in certain areas. Of course, many pharmacies across the country already offer translated prescription labels; Walgreens, for example, has done so for more than a decade. “For greater convenience, Walgreens stores can print your prescription labels in as many as 14 languages, including Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Spanish, and Vietnamese,” according to its website. |
U.S. Pharmacist Social Connect
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