Washington State Prescription Labeling Bill Passes House

 

 February 9, 2022, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 185 sponsored by Representatives Thai, Cody, Gregerson, Macri, Santos, Slatter, Valdez, Pollet, and Riccelliwas passed by the Washington House. 

This bill will require the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission to create rules for pharmacies to provide dual language prescription labels for at least the 15 most commonly spoken languages in Washington and rules for providing audible, large print and Braille prescription labels for those who are visually impaired.

Even before the bill was proposed the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission was already discussing similar rulemaking for pharmacies. The bill will provide some perimeters and deadlines to guide them through the process.

At the January 17th House Health Care and Wellness hearing the committee chair, Rep. Cody said: "When these students brought this issue to me and discussed it, I was embarrassed to realize our current law had not taken this into effect.  We already paid for and made sure providers have language translators, but it never occurred to me that when they go down to the pharmacy they don't get their drugs in a language they understand. And I think it is a miracle we haven't had more people die from getting their prescriptions that they are not able to read."

Other legislators and physicians testified about their own personal experience when only a child with limited understanding of English and medical information being asked to translate for parents or family members.

The bill passed the House  64-32 (with 2 excused) out of the House.  It will now proceed to the Senate which had it's own version of the bill SB5840 sponsored by Senator Keiser.

Follow Bill and Read Full Text 

The Safety Benefits of Dual Language Prescription Labels

As the U.S. population of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) residents grows, several state legislatures have enacted laws requiring pharmacies to provide prescription labels in the language of the patient’s choice to ensure medication safety and adherence.

The author of a recent blog published by Pharmacy Times, highlights some of the benefits these multi-lingual labels can provide patients. For example, these labels can help drive down patient medication-related errors and drive up medication adherence as patients better understand label instructions.

For a full look at this article, click here.

Two Oregon Nurses Explain Why Dual-Language Prescription Labels Improve Safety & Adherence

Two Oregon nurses explain why it is vital that pharmacies provide prescription labels in the language their Limited English Proficiency patients are most comfortable understanding. 

Kristen Beiers-Jones, RN, MN, from the Oregon Health Science University School of Nursing; and Kate Ballard, BSN, RN, have both worked directly with patients who speak English as a Second Language and struggle to understand their prescription label information. They've witnessed the errors that can occur and are leading a movement to improve patient safety for those with Limited English Proficiency through dual language medication labeling. 

For more information, email the nurses at RxTranslationLaw@gmail.com.  

Nevada Dual Language Bill Sponsored by Majority Leader Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson

 

Assembly Bill 177 was born out of Assemblywoman Benitez-Thompson's experience as a hospice social worker where she saw seniors and families struggle to manage medications with limited English proficiency. During the Commerce and Labor committee hearing there was support from many groups and discussion on what supports are already available to those with limited English proficiency.  Those representing pharmacy groups expressed their support of measures to assist patients with limited English proficiency but were concerned with the added time and expense dual language labels would require. Benitez-Thompson plans to continue to work with stakeholders to address the best public policy and bill wording.  View the first bill hearing here and read the bill text here.