Medication instructions often fail to reach patients who do not share the prescriber's language. The problem exists wherever the prescription, the pharmacy label and the patient speak different languages — common in Indian practice. Before the patient leaves, ask them to tell you back, in their own words and language, how and when they will take each new medicine. Write the key instruction in the patient's language, or ask a family member or staff member to, and check the pharmacy label matches.
- Use teach-back: ask the patient to explain how they will take each new medicine.
- Write the key dosing instruction in the patient's preferred language where possible.
- Use a trained interpreter rather than a child for medication instructions.
- Check the pharmacy label matches what you intended.
Why it matters
A correct prescription is useless if the instructions do not survive the journey to the patient.
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