Drug Store Expands Label Translation Service
The Kansas City Star - October 30, 2003
Misreading prescription labels can be a fatal mistake. For those who don't speak English, the chances of a tragic misunderstanding are multiplied.
Nearly 10 percent of children have been given medication incorrectly because of translation problems, according to a recent study by TransPerfect Translations, a translation company.
In a survey of 529 people who speak English as a second language, 28 percent said they have guessed at the proper dosage of a prescription because they were unsure of the instructions.
Since last year Walgreens stores have provided prescription label translations in Spanish, Chinese, French, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Vietnamese.
Now Walgreens is adding German, Italian and Tagalog (a language spoken in the Philippines).
After the pharmacist enters the prescription directions in English into the computer system, software developed by Walgreens translates the instructions into the language of choice and prints the label.
About TransPerfect
TransPerfect is a diversified family of companies providing a full array of international communication services in 22 offices worldwide, including document management, translation, and staffing solutions. TransPerfect is ISO 9001:2000 certified which means it has implemented the most rigorous quality assurance process, according to criteria set forth by the International Organization for Standardization. The wide range of services it provides includes imaging, reprographic services, electronic data discovery, multilingual OCR, electronic labeling, coding, on-site imaging and copying, as well as staffing, and a full suite of translation and interpretation solutions. Headquarters are in New York City. |
