At a Pharmacy

 

Everyone gets sick at one time or another and needs to go to drug store or pharmacy to get some medicine.
If it’s a minor condition, you can get over-the-counter medication. If not, you may need to get a prescription
from a doctor first. Maybe you just need some allergy medication for hay fever, or aspirin for a head ache,
or antacid for an upset stomach. In these cases you may have to talk to the pharmacist. Using the
expressions below can be helpful.

English Expressions- At a Pharmacy

Expression: What do you recommend for ( …a cold)?
Response: You could try these COLD BE GONE tablets. They work wonders.

Expression: Do you have anything for a ( … sore throat)?
Response: Yes, these throat lozenges should work.

Expression: What do you suggest for ( … an upset stomach)?
Response: You could try these antacid tablets.

Expression: I need something for a ( … headache)?
Response: Why don’t you try aspirin?

What are over-the-counter medications?

Over-the-counter medication is medication that does not require a doctor’s prescription in order to be
purchased. In many countries prescription drugs require a doctor’s orders before they can be purchased
at a pharmacy. These drugs are usually very potent, may be addictive if not used properly, and may have
numerous adverse side effects. Over-the-counter drugs, however, do not need a doctor’s orders to be
purchased. There are a multitude of over-the-counter drugs that are used for the treatment of a wide
variety of ailments and illnesses, including the following:

upset stomachs headaches
muscle aches and pain allergies
stuffy noses persistent itching
minor burns and scalds runny noses
disinfectants (for cleaning cuts and other minor wounds),
ointments or liquids (to remove warts and corns)

It is also helpful to know over-the-counter medication comes in variety of packages and forms.
Look at the examples below.

Antacid tablets Allergy pills
Cough drop lozenges Cold capsules
Bottle of cough syrup Tube of muscle relaxant ointment

Dialogue- At a Pharmacy

Pharmacist: Good morning, may I help you?
Customer: Yes, I need this prescription filled.
Pharmacist: OK, it’ll be ready in a few minutes.
Customer: I’ve also had a runny nose for a couple of days, can you recommend something?
Pharmacist: This decongestant is very effective, but be careful using it. It causes drowsiness and you
    shouldn’t drink any alcohol when taking this it.
Customer: OK, I’ll try it. I also need some band-aides and sun screen. Where are those?
Pharmacist: The band-aides are on aisle 3, on the left and the sun screen is on aisle 2, on the top shelf.
Customer: Thanks
Pharmacist: Will that be all?
Customer: That should do it.
Pharmacist: That comes to $34.56
Customer: That expensive! Why so much?
Pharmacist: The prescription medication is expensive. It cost $25.99. I may be able to get you a
    generic drug for about half that price, but I would have to consult your doctor first.
Customer: No, that’s OK. Don’t bother.
Pharmacist: Here’s your change. Have a good day.

Conversation Activities-At a Pharmacy

1. Pair work- discussion
     When was the last time you when to a pharmacy? Tell your partner about it using some of the ideas for
     discussion below. Your partner should ask questions to get more information.

when did you go
what was the problem
what medication did you get
did you talk to the pharmacists
did the medication help

2. Pair work- Role Play
     Working with a partner, role play the situations, using the information below

The situation: At a pharmacy
The roles: a pharmacy, a customer

The customer should ask for a recommendation for the problems below.
The pharmacist should ask the following:

how long the symptoms have been present
if the customer is allergic to any medicines
why they have the symptoms (if known)
the severity of the problem

The problem
Sore muscles                 Headache
Diarrhea                         Constipation
Insomnia                      Severe Itching
Upset stomach              Dandruff
Stuffy/runny nose      Fever