At a Pharmacy

Lesson Plan 

Everyone get 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 case you may have to talk to the pharmacist. Using the expressions below can be helpful.

English Expressions

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  

English Dialogue

Students should work together in pairs and read the following dialogue, one student reading one part, the other student reading the other. Note the expressions used in the dialogue and the progression of the conversation. The dialogue can be used as a model to have similar conversations.
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.
After reading, close your book and tell your partner a summary of the dialogue. Then switch and have your partner tell his or her summary. Start like this: This dialogue is about a man at a pharmacy. He is … This may seem silly, since you both already know what the dialogue is about, but the purpose is to practice using your English, not to give information or test your reading skills.

Conversation Activities

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                       
Cold capsules                        Bottle of cough syrup
Tube of muscle relaxant ointment

from http://www.hotel-tefl.com/yadayadaenglish/pharmacy/