Calif. dentists must provide translated directions for drugs

A new law in California means dentists who practice in the state are now required to provide translated directions for dispensed drugs if such directions are available and the patient requests it, according to the California Dental Association (CDA).

"Dispensing" medicine includes writing a prescription for medication provided to a patient for use outside of the prescriber's facility, the association reported. The translated directions for use must be provided on the prescription container or label, or on a supplemental document. The state pharmacy board has translated directions in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese available at pharmacy.ca.gov.

The English version of directions must also appear on the container or label (not on a supplemental document), according to the CDA.