(Effective January 22, 2027)
PDFWAC 246-945-029
Translation and interpretation for prescription information for individuals with LEP.
(1) Every dispensing facility and dispensing practitioner shall provide oral interpretation and written translation services of the complete directions for use to individuals with LEP upon the request of the individual with LEP, their prescriber, or their authorized representative. The translated complete directions for use must be affixed to the prescription container.
(2) Every dispensing facility and dispensing practitioner shall offer to provide oral interpretation and written translation services of the complete directions for use to individuals with LEP when it is self-evident the person to whom the prescription is being prescribed or delivered is an individual with LEP. The complete directions for use must be affixed to the prescription container.
(3) Dispensing facilities and dispensing practitioners who dispense and deliver prescriptions at a fixed physical location shall, at a minimum, conspicuously display a sign developed and made available by the commission that notifies individuals of the right to oral interpretation and written translation services of the complete directions of use.
(a) When creating the sign, the commission will include the 10 most common languages in Washington based on the Washington state office of financial management's (OFM) LEP estimates.
(b) The commission shall review the OFM LEP estimates report once every five years to evaluate whether there has been a change to the 10 most common languages in Washington based on this data. During this review, the commission will determine whether other resources or methodologies provide more accurate LEP estimate information to determine the list of languages included on the sign.
(4) Dispensing facilities and dispensing practitioners who dispense and deliver prescriptions through the mail shall notify individuals of the individual's right to oral interpretation and written translation services of the complete directions for use when delivering the individual's medication. The commission will develop and make available the notification that dispensing facilities and dispensing practitioners will provide.
(a) When creating the notification, the commission will include the 10 most common languages based on the Washington state office of financial management's (OFM) LEP estimates.
(b) The commission shall review the OFM LEP estimates report once every five years to evaluate whether there has been a change to the 10 most common languages in Washington based on this data. During this review, the commission will determine whether other resources or methodologies provide more accurate LEP estimate information to determine the list of languages included on the notification.
(5) Dispensing practitioners and dispensing facilities must still affix a label that meets the requirements of WAC 246-945-015 for dispensing practitioners or WAC 246-945-016 for dispensing facilities in English, except the complete directions for use can be affixed in its translated form only.