Releases & Statements

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

May 4, 2009
Contact: Sarah Krauss
(212) 669-4193; (917) 541-0936
Release #: 10-2009

PA Gotbaum, Councilmember Gioia, Advocates Push for Bill That Will Help Give Equal Access to Pharmacy Services to All New Yorkers

Council hearing today for bill that would ensure pharmacies provide translation services to LEP New Yorkers

MANHATTAN – Public Advocate Gotbaum, Councilmember Gioia, Make the Road New York, and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest today called for passage of a bill that would help give equal access to pharmacy services to all New Yorkers. Public Advocate Gotbaum introduced legislation in October 2008 known as the Language Access in Pharmacies Act of 2008 (LAPA). The bill requires every chain pharmacy to provide free translation of prescription medication labels, warning labels and patient information sheets to each LEP individual filling a prescription.

New York City has over 1.8 million residents with LEP. Many of these LEP New Yorkers could be putting their lives at risk by taking prescription medications without a clear understanding of the directions and warnings associated with their use.

The bill also requires non-chain pharmacies that do not provide language assistance services to clearly post at or near the prescription drug counter, a notification of three nearby pharmacies where these services are available.

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, “Clearly understanding a prescription you are given is a basic right, yet pharmacies all around the city are allowing New Yorkers to take home medication with instructions they can’t understand. If even a few words of a vital medical instruction are lost on a patient, the result can be disastrous. We owe it to New Yorkers to pass this bill.”

Councilmember Eric Gioia said, “No matter what language you speak you should be able to read and understand your prescriptions. English only prescription information doesn't live up to the inclusive spirit of New York, and sets up a dangerous and unnecessary barrier for thousands of hard working New Yorkers who take prescription medication. We need to be doing everything possible to provide equal access to health services for all New Yorkers.”

Andrew Friedman, Executive Director, Make the Road New York said, “Taking medication can be dangerous, and it is essential that all New Yorkers understand how to take the medications that their doctors prescribe safely. This legislation will solve this problem and protect millions of New Yorkers.”

Pharmacies are currently not required to provide translation services for their customers. This lack of service can be especially dangerous for the large LEP population. Upon enactment, the law will take effect in 180 days.

A 2006 study of language access in NYC pharmacies conducted by the New York Academy of Medicine found that 88% of pharmacies encountered LEP patients on a daily basis. However, only 34 percent reported translating labels daily, despite 80 percent reporting the ability to do so. Another 26 percent never translate labels.

The New York State Attorney General’s Office announced last week that they have signed settlement agreements with Walmart, Target, Costco, Duane Reade and A&P, which owns Pathmark, Super Fresh and Food Emporium to provide language assistance services to LEP customers. In November, the New York State Attorney General’s Office announced similar settlement agreements with CVS and Rite Aid. However, these agreements are time-limited, and will expire. The Language Access in Pharmacies Act, once passed, will not expire.

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