Prescription Information in More than 175 Languages:

Rite Aid Launches National In-Store Language Access Program with Language Line Services

New York – (May 12, 2009) –   Rite Aid customers with limited-English speaking skills can now utilize telephone interpreters to consult with pharmacists in more than 175 languages thanks to a new multilingual access program provided by leading language service provider Language Line Services.  The addition of interpretation services enhances the systems Rite Aid already has in place for customers to receive prescription information printed in their choice of 11 different languages.  The combined document translation  and on demand phone interpretation language access service, which will be the first of its kind to be integrated nationally, is now available in Rite Aid pharmacies throughout New York state and will be available in all of its pharmacies by the end of May. 


“We are very pleased to offer this new option to our pharmacy customers in New York and look forward to making it available in all of our pharmacies,” said Robert Thompson, Rite Aid’s senior vice president of pharmacy operations.  “We have a very diverse customer base and this service will certainly help our limited-English speaking customers clearly understand the information they receive from our pharmacies. This service assists us in our health and wellness mission helping our patients live healthier, happier lives.”

Louis Provenzano, Language Line Services' president and chief operating officer, noted that 174 different languages are spoken in the New York metro area; nationwide, more than 24 million individuals age 5 and older require language support.

“As the nation’s population of limited-English speakers grows, providing interpretation services is the best way to ensure that these patients understand their benefits and, more importantly, are taking medications safely and accurately,” said Provenzano.  “We are delighted to be working with Rite Aid to help eliminate language barriers.”

Rite Aid has been working with Language Line Services since December 2008 to provide limited-English speaking pharmacy customers on demand and immediate access to live interpreters who speak more than 175 languages. This over-the-phone interpretation service is free of charge to customers and staffed with medically trained interpreters that are employed, not contracted, by Language Line Services and have completed the company’s rigorous hiring and certification process, where only one in every 12 applicants is accepted.

“This program is designed to provide pharmacy customers access to interpreters who can assist in explaining instructions, side effects and precautions for medications in their preferred language and also may assist in reducing potential medication usage errors,” added Thompson.  

“Language Line Services’ interpreters have considerable experience in the healthcare field and the ability to preserve the meaning of the exchanges between the limited-English customer and pharmacist, which is especially crucial when dealing with prescriptions and each unique instruction,” said Provenzano.

Rite Aid’s multilingual access program with Language Line Services has been well received by the New York community, with limited-English customers utilizing the telephone interpreters to discuss prescriptions with their local Rite Aid pharmacists in languages ranging from Spanish and Mandarin to Swahili and Fukienese.

“Rite Aid has shown a true commitment to diversity by engaging with consumers in the languages they speak,” said Nisha Agarwal, director of New York Lawyers for Public Interest. “I applaud them for offering this program nationwide to ensure all customers have access to quality care, regardless of language.”

LANGUAGE ACCESS BY THE NUMBERS

• 176 – total number of languages spoken in the U.S.; in New York City nearly 174 different languages are spoken.
• 75 – percent of limited English speakers that prefer to speak in their native language
• 24 Million – individuals age 5 and over that need language support annually
• 1.2 Million – number of Rite Aid customers receiving printed prescription directions in a language other than English.

About Language Line Services

Language Line Services, the world’s leading provider of language-based services, is a trusted partner to thousands of organizations whose focus is to effectively serve the rapidly expanding market of limited English proficient speakers. The company delivers a dynamic suite of solutions spanning phone, on-site and video interpreting, translation, transcription, localization and localized software and devices and the only medical interpreter certification program that is externally validated. Through its leading-edge technology infrastructure, Language Line Services provides support for more than 175 spoken languages, as well as American Sign Language and Mexican Sign Language, to its industry-leading portfolio of clients across markets including health care, financial services, government, telecom, manufacturing, insurance, entertainment, travel, and more. For information on how Language Line Services is helping clients achieve their strategic multicultural marketing and regulatory compliance objectives, please call 1-800-752-6096.

About Rite Aid

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,900 stores in 30 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2009 annual sales of more than $26.3 billion.  Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s Web site at www.riteaid.com.