Language Barrier Causes Rx Errors

Supermarket News - April 11, 2003

Nearly 1 in 10 pharmacy customers who speak English as a second language (ESL) give their children prescription medications incorrectly because they do not fully understand the proper pharmaceutical regimen, according to a recent survey conducted by TransPerfect Translations. Twenty-eight percent of respondents guessed at proper dosages due to a language barrier, and 17% performed an activity they shouldn't have while on their medication, according to the study. The translation company surveyed 592 people in some of the fastest-growing ESL communities in the United States, including native Spanish, Chinese, Hindi and Russian speakers. Curtis Hartin, director of professional services, Schnuck Markets, St. Louis, said that Schnuck pharmacies are ready to handle the increasingly diverse patient base. "As the Spanish population continues to grow, I see [the language barrier] coming, and when it happens, we'll offer remedial Spanish courses to better communicate with patients." Communication aids are not limited to pharmacists, he noted. "If we can get anyone in our stores to interpret, then we're that much farther ahead."

—Stephanie Loughran

About TransPerfect
With revenue of over $250 million, TransPerfect is the largest privately held language services provider in the world. From offices in 66 cities on 5 continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in over 100 languages to multinationals worldwide. With a global network of over 4,000 linguists and subject-area specialists, TransPerfect is the largest translation company to be fully ISO 9001:2008 and EN 15038:2006 certified. TransPerfect is headquartered in New York and has regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com.