NYAM Research on Language Access in Pharmacies
The New York Academy of Medicine, working in collaboration with a diverse Community Advisory Board, began research into the availability of translated medication instructions from NYC pharmacies in 2007. We conducted research among pharmacists and LEP patients to get a thorough understanding of the issue and possible solutions.
According to our random sample phone survey of 200 NYC pharmacies:
- 88% of New York City pharmacists serve patients with limited English proficiency every day
- 34% provide translated labels on a daily basis; more than a quarter of the surveyed pharmacists never provided translated labels
- Independent pharmacies were 4 times more likely to provide translated medication labels as chain pharmacies
- Pharmacists most often used ad hoc interpreters including cashiers, "techs," patient family members, other customers, and other community members (e.g. person from the store next door)
- Less than 10% had a sign informing patients of language services available
For more information the findings of this study, check the following documents.
- Availability of Multilingual Prescription Medication Information for Limited English Proficient Patients in New York City Pharmacies
- Access to Multilingual Medication Instructions at New York City Pharmacies
In our surveys and focus group discussions with LEP Chinese and Latino New Yorkers, we found that:
- 72% of Chinese survey participants had a translated label on at least one of their current prescriptions
- 27% of Latino survey participants had a translated label on at least one of their current prescriptions
- All Chinese focus group participants knew that translated medication labels are available; just half of Latino focus group participants knew that translated medication labels are available
Our research has been cited widely in the media, including:
Washington Post, April 27, 2007. "Many US Immigrants Can't Read Prescription Labels" http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042701020_pf.html
Science Daily, April 30, 2007. "Many NYC Pharmacies Fail To Translate Prescription Labels For Patients Who Don't Understand English" http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070427072210.htm
Kaiser Network, May 01, 2007. "Few New York City Pharmacies Translate Prescription Drug Labels Despite Ability to Do So, Study Finds" http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/print_report.cfm?DR_ID=44626&dr_cat=5
Journal of the American Medical Assoc. (JAMA) June 20, 2007. "For Non-English Speakers, Drug Label Instructions Can Be Lost In Translation" http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/297/23/2575
The New York Times; N.Y. /Regions, October 31, 20007. "Non-English Speakers Charge Bias in Prescription Labeling" http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/nyregion/31pharmacies.html?_r=1&8br&oref=slogin