More than 150 languages are spoken in Toronto and approximately 70.2 per cent of Canadian immigrants report a first language that is not English.
When an individual is prescribed a medication, the instructions are printed in English. If a person can’t read these instructions, it can be a significant barrier to their health.
We believe prescription information should be available in an individual’s language of choice.
When medication information is available in a person’s first language, health outcomes improve.
This information should be available in languages that are representative of Canada’s diverse population. If individuals have access to this service, patient medication errors could largely be avoided.
In order to do this, the Ontario Ministry of Health would need to invest in translators who could translate drug information into different languages. By investing in this service, the ministry would be improving the lives of our immigrant populations.
