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Legislature Votes to Require Multi-Lingual Prescription Drug Information

For immediate release:

(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) that will help 6.5 million Californians with limited English proficiency understand their medications by requiring pharmacists to distribute translations of drug information materials.

Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1073 passed the Assembly 79-0, following a 40-0 Senate vote on Wednesday. It is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto by October 11.

“We need an equal standard of patient care. Pharmacy services are an integral part of health care and language skills should never be an impediment to equal access,” said Ting. “California is the most linguistically diverse state in the nation. By ensuring that all patients understand their medications, we will save lives and improve healthcare for millions of people.”

AB 1073 requires all pharmacists to provide translated directions for use to limited English proficient patients, which can be done through: • Using translations made available by the Board of Pharmacy, which regulates pharmacists – the Board has translated for use in five languages (Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese) 15 standardized directions, such as take one pill at bedtime and take one pill in the morning. • Providing translated directions for use – some pharmacies already offer patients comprehensive translation services, and are encouraged to continue doing so.

The 2010 U.S. Census found over 6.5 million Californians speak English less than “very well.” And, 44 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home.

Here is what supporters are saying about AB 1073.

“A patient’s first and best source of information about their medication is the prescription label,” said Sarah de Guia, Executive Director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. “Patients with limited English skills are over twice as likely to have difficulty understanding their medications. This bill will help make prescription labels understandable and meaningful for millions of Californians."

“Prescription medications are an important element of health care: adherence to medication regimens is a significant problem for many consumers. Is it one pill twice a day? Is that one pill every twelve hours? Or is it two pills in the morning and none at night? How long do I take the prescription?” -Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Health Access California

“Access to health care requires effective communication between patients and medical professionals. AB 1073 would help limited-English proficient patients across California understand prescription drug information in their primary language, a need that can literally be a matter of life and death.” -Xavier Morales, Executive Director, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California

“This bill will ensure all Californians, regardless of the language they speak, understand how to safely take their medication.” -Sherry Hirota, Chief Executive Officer, Asian Health Services

“Culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare is fundamental for patient health and well-being. By making it easier for seniors to understand their medications, they can focus on enjoying their golden years with dignity and grace.” -Andy Bryant, Chief Operating Officer, Self Help for the Elderly

“We at Chinese Hospital feel this is a valuable bill for not only our Chinese speaking community but all the other community members we serve with limited English proficiency. This bill will help people properly take their medications and ensure they get the benefit of the drugs as their doctors intended.” -Diane Hong, Pharmacist at Chinese Hospital

Further information is available at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.