New York Mandates Free Pharmacy Translation Services
The New York City Council has overwhelmingly passed a measure that requires pharmacies with more than four stores in the five boroughs to provide free translation services to customers in need of prescription translation assistance. "Across the city, New Yorkers with limited English proficiency are in danger of misreading prescription labels and incorrectly taking medications," said Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. "My bill ensures that all New Yorkers have access to the prescription translation services they need to make safe medical choices." The services will include oral interpretation of counseling about the use of prescription medications, prescription medication labels, warning labels, and other written content. The interpreting services may be supplied by pharmacy staff or a third-party contractor either in person or over the phone. The legislation also mandates that chain pharmacies provide free written translation of prescription medication labels, warning labels, and other written material critical to a consumer's use of prescription medication, as well as post a sign about the right to free language assistance services. Written translation services will be available in Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese, Russian, Korean, Italian, French Creole, and Polish.
From "Council Votes Pharmacies to Translate"
WABC.com (NY) (08/20/09)
Source: ATA Newsbriefs - August 2009
