Signed by Governor Kate Brown

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that requires a second language on prescription drug labels upon request.

Highlights:

• Requires the State Board of Pharmacy to label prescription drugs in English and in whichever language a patient of limited English proficiency, their prescribing practitioner, or their authorized representative so requests (Sec. 2).

• Requires, if authorized by the board by rule, an informational insert in both English and the language requested (Sec. 2).

• Requires the rules adopted under this section to (Sec. 2):

• Define “limited English proficiency”;

• Determine the pharmacies to which the requirements of this section apply, including at least retail drug outlets and other drug outlets that dispense prescription drugs;

• Determine the prescription drugs that need to include informational inserts in the secondary language in addition to the label;

• Requires at least fourteen languages other than English that are spoken in Oregon by individuals of limited English proficiency to be available for the labels and informational inserts of prescription drugs; and

• Requires these languages to be reassessed and updated as necessary every ten years.

• Authorizes pharmacies to contract with third parties for the translation of the label and informational inserts of these prescription drugs (Sec. 2).

• Exempts pharmacies, pharmacists, or pharmacy interns from any liability connected to an injury that results from action of a third party in translating the label and/or information insert in good faith, assuming there was no neglect on behalf of the pharmacist or pharmacy intern in regard to the misconduct of the third party (Sec. 2).

• Exempts institutional drug outlets from requirements under this act (Sec. 2).

• Requires the board to adopt rules that will require pharmacies to post signage that provide notification of the right to free, competent, oral interpretation and translation services for patients of limited English proficiency (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that Section 2 of this Act will take effect January 1, 2021 (Sec. 4). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a second language on prescription drug labels upon request.

Highlights:

• Requires the State Board of Pharmacy to label prescription drugs in English and in whichever language a patient of limited English proficiency, their prescribing practitioner, or their authorized representative so requests (Sec. 2).

• Requires, if authorized by the board by rule, an informational insert in both English and the language requested (Sec. 2).

• Requires the rules adopted under this section to (Sec. 2):

• Define “limited English proficiency”;

• Determine the pharmacies to which the requirements of this section apply, including at least retail drug outlets and other drug outlets that dispense prescription drugs;

• Determine the prescription drugs that need to include informational inserts in the secondary language in addition to the label;

• Requires at least fourteen languages other than English that are spoken in Oregon by individuals of limited English proficiency to be available for the labels and informational inserts of prescription drugs; and

• Requires these languages to be reassessed and updated as necessary every ten years.

• Authorizes pharmacies to contract with third parties for the translation of the label and informational inserts of these prescription drugs (Sec. 2).

• Exempts pharmacies, pharmacists, or pharmacy interns from any liability connected to an injury that results from action of a third party in translating the label and/or information insert in good faith, assuming there was no neglect on behalf of the pharmacist or pharmacy intern in regard to the misconduct of the third party (Sec. 2).

• Exempts institutional drug outlets from requirements under this act (Sec. 2).

• Requires the board to adopt rules that will require pharmacies to post signage that provide notification of the right to free, competent, oral interpretation and translation services for patients of limited English proficiency (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that Section 2 of this Act will take effect January 1, 2021 (Sec. 4). 

Full Bill Text