A new study published in the May issue of Pediatrics, indicate that many pharmacies in the United States poorly translate their prescriptions instructions to their Spanish-speaking customers, consequently creating a life-threatening situation for them.

Half of the Spanish-language prescription labels reviewed for the study contained errors, and some of those errors could result in life-threatening situations if misinterpreted by the patient, said Dr. Iman Sharif, chief of the division of general pediatrics at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del.

Some of the reasons found were, computer programs produced a mix of English and Spanish on the labels, and non-spanish speaking employees.

Sharif believes these errors help explain why non-English speakers tend to receive poorer health care in the United States. He recommends spanish speaking patients should take very good care when reading their medication instructions.