At the Pharmacy

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At the Pharmacy

Intermediate

After this lesson, you will be able to buy medicine at a pharmacy.

Exercise 1

Warm-up

Listen as your tutor reads out the text. Then have a conversation based on the question below.

A "prescription" from your doctor gives you permission to buy strictly-controlled medicines, known as "prescription medicine". Medicine that can be bought without a prescription is called “over-the-counter medicine”.

When was the last time you went to a pharmacy? Did you buy prescription or over-the-counter medicine?

Exercise 2

Vocabulary & Expressions

Repeat the vocabulary and expressions after your tutor.

fill prescription

Phrasal Verb

side effect

Noun

tablet

Noun

generic

Adjective

How Can I Help You?

I'm looking for something for my fever.

I'm looking for some medicine for my cough.

Have You Taken This Medicine Before?

How often should I take it?

Should I take it with food?

Are there any side effects?

Tip: Medicine or Drugs?

On its own, the word "drug" usually refers to illegal drugs. However, in combination with other words, drug often refers to "medicine". For instance, you will hear people say "prescription drugs" instead of "prescription medicine". In North America, pharmacies are often called "drug stores" and medicine labels are often titled "drug information".

Exercise 3

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogue aloud with your tutor. Then answer the questions below without referring back to the dialogue.

	Ling Hi there. I need to fill my prescription and I'm looking for some Tylenol.
	Pharmacist That won't be a problem. We don't carry the brand name Tylenol, but we do carry generic versions. You'll find them in aisle 2.
Ling finds a generic version of Tylenol and then returns to the counter.
	Pharmacist Have you taken this before?
	Ling No, I haven't. How often should I take it?
	Pharmacist Take two tablets every six hours.
	Ling Should I take them with food?
	Pharmacist No, that's not necessary.
	Ling OK, so two tablets every six hours, and they don't need to be taken with food.
	Pharmacist Correct. As always, stop taking it if you get side effects.

Vocabulary Review

Ling wants to pick up some Tylenol and her prescription.

Ling should take two every six hours.

Ling should stop taking the medicine if she experiences any .

Exercise 4

Fill in the Blanks

Read the dialogue aloud by yourself and fill in the blanks.

	Edith Hello, I have a prescription I'd like to fill. I'm also (1) for my back pain. My friends recommended Advil.
	Pharmacist No problem, I'll have your prescription ready in five minutes. And you can find Advil and some generic versions of it in aisle 6.
Edith comes back with the medicine. The pharmacist then gives Edith information about her prescription.
	Edith (2) I take this?
	Pharmacist Take three tablets a day.
	Edith OK, so three pills a day. (3) them with food?
	Pharmacist Yes.
	Edith (4) side effects?
	Pharmacist Side effects include dizziness and drowsiness.

Choose answers from the options below that fit in blanks 1 to 4

Answer Pool (Questions 1-4)

How often should
What are the
Are there any
Should I take
looking for some medicine

Exercise 5

Role Play

Repeat the vocabulary after your tutor. Then role-play the situation.

supplement

Noun

dosage

Noun

active ingredient

Noun

as needed

Adverb

Situation

You are looking for some medicine for your fever as well as some calcium supplements. Ask the pharmacist (played by your teacher):

what you should take
proper dosage
whether you should take it with food
potential side effects

Pharmacist

Hello, how can I help you?