Language barriers increasing risk of drug mishaps in Australia

Australians with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds face an elevated risk of adverse drug events, according to a recent report from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). Cultural disparities, inadequate health literacy, and language obstacles can result in misunderstandings about proper medication usage. The report outlines five strategies to enhance patient outcomes, such as conducting more home medicine reviews, improving data collection, and increasing the use of interpreters.

Evelyn Pe, a pharmacist-turned-translator who previously worked as a pharmacist in Myanmar, has encountered numerous instances of medication misuse among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals in Australia. One alarming case involved a young woman who began taking her deceased mother's cancer medications due to a misinterpretation of hereditary cancer risks.

Pe stressed that adhering to prescribed medication regimens is crucial to prevent serious harm or fatalities. The PSA recommends several measures, including expanding the use of interpreters and conducting additional home medicine reviews, to protect vulnerable Australians from medication-related harm. In 2022, 4.6 million Australians who received medications through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) were born overseas, with 500,000 of them having limited English proficiency.

Among PBS recipients with limited English proficiency, 45% of individuals were taking six or more different medications. Mark Naunton, PSA's national president and professor of pharmacy at the University of Canberra, highlighted the prevalence of CALD individuals accessing medication in Australia but emphasized the need for clearer information to prevent misunderstandings.

The report also underscores the importance of proper training for translators to avoid miscommunication, particularly when discussing sensitive health issues.