Language can be a problem for patients when it comes to understanding the instructions for how to take their medications. To address this, ScriptPro robotic dispensing systems now incorporate translation instructions and auxiliary warnings that are printed on the label in the preferred language of the patient. The language options include Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Thai, and Maori.

Pharmacies taking advantage of this multilingual feature include Navarro Discount Pharmacies in Miami, Fla., which prints approximately 75% of its prescription labels in Spanish. According to Albert Garcia, executive VP of the chain, having the sig and auxiliary label in Spanish increases compliance and reduces the chance of over- or under-utilization of the medication.

Peter Koo, owner of Starside Pharmacies in the New York City area, is another case in point. Koo built his five pharmacies to focus on the Sino-American communities he serves and is using his ScriptPro robotic and workflow systems to print prescription labels in Mandarin Chinese. “There are opportunities for pharmacies to provide distinctive and valuable services to patient populations that might otherwise be challenged by language barriers,” he says. He also hires employees with strong linguistic skills.