Virginia and Oklahoma Introduce Dual-Language Prescription Labeling Bills
Virginia Delegate Elizabeth Guzmán has introduced a HB2147. The original text of the bill meant to require pharmacies to provide dual language prescription labels and direct the board to publish on their website model directions for use in five languages. The text was amended to first direct the Board of Pharmacy to convene a work group of interested stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility of requiring translated directions on prescription labels. The Board will then report back to the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by December 1, 2023. The amended bill was unanimously passed by the House on February 6, 2023 and moved onto the Senate. For full text and tracking visit: https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB2147
In Oklahoma Representative Arturo Alonso-Sandoval has introduced HB2419 which instructs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules that pharmacies, upon request of a patient of limited English proficiency or their representative, will provide a prescription label in both English and the language requested. The board also has the option of requiring the informational insert to be dual-language as well. The board will determine 14 languages to be made available based on US Census and Oklahoma Health Care Authority data. The bill also requires pharmacies to post signage about free interpretation and translation services. For complete text and tracking: http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2419&Session=2300