The translation of medical prescriptions is essential if you need to obtain medicines when travelling abroad and it requires specific expertise and a thorough knowledge of the names of medicines and the instructions for their use. Here we take a closer look at translating medical prescriptions and the issues involved in this type of service.
Medical prescription: definition
A medical prescription is issued by a health professional (GP, dentist, ophthalmologist, etc.). It lists the medicines and treatments required by the patient, who can then obtain them from a pharmacy. This document usually includes personalised instructions on the dosage and use of the medicine.
When travelling abroad, you sometimes need to have a medical prescription translated, so that you can read and understand your doctor's instructions, or so that the local pharmacist can provide the appropriate treatment.
What are the specifics of translating medical prescriptions?
The translation of medical prescriptions is a major challenge in terms of patient health and the confidentiality of the information processed.
If it is not carried out properly, it can have serious consequences for patients and can hinder their access to healthcare. Furthermore, the confidentiality of private data is a major issue for the translator, who must not compromise the protection of this sensitive information.
Translating a medical prescription therefore requires the services of a translator who specialises in the health sector. As well as mastering the source and target languages, the translator must also be familiar with the terminology specific to the sector.
Furthermore, in the case of an illegible handwritten prescription, the translator should take the initiative of contacting the practitioner to clarify the content.
→ Good to know: Certain medical documents, such as medical certificates, medical notes, and test reports, can also be translated by a specialist translator.
What are the advantages of professional medical translations?
The translation of prescriptions, medical certificates, or medical prescriptions (into French, Spanish, German, Arabic, etc.) requires absolute precision and accuracy to avoid errors that can have serious consequences for the patient. If necessary we can provide professional translations at very short notice, thanks to our urgent translation services.
With over 40 years' experience and a network of 80 centres worldwide, Alphatrad offers medical prescription translation services in around 100 languages. Our specialist, native-speaking translators have in-depth knowledge of medical terminology, and provide reliable, high-quality services.
and receive an answer within a few hours
- Choose the service you require
- Get a quote
- Confirm and receive your order
FAQ about translating medical prescriptions
A doctor’s prescription is not always valid abroad, but translating a prescription into the target language is sometimes enough for you to obtain your medication. Some countries may also require a local prescription before dispensing certain treatments. If this is not the case, remember to ask your doctor for a cross-border prescription before you leave.
The regulatory criteria for medical prescriptions include:
- The patient's name
- The date of the prescription
- The international name of the drug and its dosage
- Duration of treatment
- The doctor's signature.
These 5 elements are often essential to ensure the conformity and legality of the order (depending on the country) and must not be altered during the translation process.