At the Pharmacy
Visiting a pharmacy is a common situation in daily life. Whether you need medicine, ask for advice, or buy health products, knowing the right English words and phrases will help you communicate better. In this post, you will learn pharmacy-related vocabulary, useful expressions, and practical exercises to improve your English skills.
Common Pharmacy Vocabulary
Here are some important words you might hear or use at a pharmacy:
People at the Pharmacy
- Pharmacist – A healthcare professional who prepares and sells medicine
- Customer – A person buying medicine or products
- Cashier – The person who takes your payment
Example Sentence:
- "The pharmacist gave me instructions on how to take the medicine."
Types of Medicine
- Prescription medicine – Medicine that requires a doctor’s approval 🏥
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine – Medicine you can buy without a prescription
- Painkillers – Medicine for pain relief (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin)
- Antibiotics – Medicine that fights infections
- Cough syrup – A liquid medicine for coughs
- Pills/Tablets – Solid medicine that you swallow
- Cream/Ointment – Medicine applied to the skin
Example Sentence:
- "I need some painkillers for my headache."
Common Pharmacy Products
- Bandages – Used to cover wounds
- Thermometer – Measures body temperature
- Hand sanitizer – Used to kill germs on hands
- Vitamins – Supplements for health
Example Sentence:
- "I bought a thermometer to check my fever."
Useful Phrases at the Pharmacy
Asking for Help
- "Do you have something for a headache?"
- "Can I buy this without a prescription?"
- "How often should I take this medicine?"
- "Are there any side effects?"
Talking to the Pharmacist
- "I need something for a sore throat."
- "My doctor gave me this prescription."
- "Can you recommend a good cough syrup?"
Example Conversation:
Customer: Excuse me, I have a cold. What can I take?
Pharmacist: You can take these tablets every six hours.
Customer: Thank you! How much do they cost?
Pharmacist: They are $10.
Practical Exercises
Match the Words with Their Definition
Match each word with the correct meaning:
- Pharmacist
- Prescription medicine
- Painkillers
- Bandage
a) Medicine that reduces pain
b) A healthcare professional who prepares medicine
c) A doctor must approve this medicine
d) Used to cover a wound
(Answers: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d)
Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct words:
- I have a fever. I need a _______. (thermometer / bandage)
- The doctor gave me a _______ for my antibiotics. (receipt / prescription)
- I cut my finger. Do you have a _______? (bandage / pill)
- This is an OTC medicine, so you _______ buy it without a prescription. (can / can’t)
(Answers: 1. thermometer, 2. prescription, 3. bandage, 4. can)
Role-Play Exercise
Practice a conversation at a pharmacy. Imagine you are a customer. Use these questions to guide you:
- What medicine do you need?
- How often should you take it?
- How much does it cost?
Example:
- "Hello, I have a sore throat. Can you recommend something?"
Knowing how to communicate at the pharmacy is essential for everyday life. Practice these words and phrases to feel more confident!
What is the most useful phrase for you? Tell me in the comments!