Medicines for flu-like symptoms out of stock in most pharmacies in Philippines

admin 2022年1月11日

Medicines for flu-like symptoms out-of-stock in most PH pharmacies (1)

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

over-the-counter /OH-ver-duh-KOUN-ter/

[adjective] – an over-the-counter drug is bought from a shop without the person who buys it having visited a doctor first
These antibiotics are not over-the-counter. You need a doctor’s prescription to get them.

replenish /ri-PLEN-ish/

[verb] – to fill something up again
The stock in our pantry has been replenished. Now, let’s prepare something to eat.

hoarding /HAWR-ding/

[noun/gerund] – the act of collecting large amounts of something and keeping it for yourself, often in a secret place
Hoarding of face masks and alcohol is strictly prohibited in the city.

generic /juh-NER-ik/

[adjective] – a product, especially a drug, that is no longer owned or legally controlled by a particular company
The doctor always prescribes cheaper generic drugs with the same effectiveness.

shelf life /shelf-lahyf/

[noun] – the length of time that something stays in good condition and can be used
This canned product has a guaranteed shelf life of one year.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Certain branded paracetamols and other over-the-counter medicines for flu-like symptoms ran out of stock in several small and large drugstores in the Philippines due to amplified demand amid the country’s soaring COVID-19 cases anew.

Philippines’ leading drug manufacturer Unilab reported a shortage of pharmacy stock, including its known and widely used brands like Biogesic, Bioflu, Neozep, and Solmux. “Some of our brands are temporarily out of stock in select drugstores due to extraordinary demand,” Unilab said in a statement. The corporation, on the other hand, promised that it is working its best to replenish its stocks as early as possible. Other major Philippine pharmaceutical companies reported the same issue, such as Zuellig Pharma and Generika. However, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines clarified that this is only the result of some delivery delays of stocks in drugstores. The agency has also ordered to impose purchase limits on the medicines to avoid panic-buying and hoarding. Additionally, together with the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH), DTI urged Filipinos to consider buying generic drugs as alternatives since they are as effective as the branded ones. The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) also advised the public to buy only the needed number of medicines because of their limited shelf life or expiration dates and to be considerate of other patients who may need them more.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

What medicines do you usually take when you have a fever or flu?
What do you do to avoid getting sick from the cold weather?
Would you opt to buy generic drugs if branded ones ran out of stock? Why or why not?
Do you think cheaper generic medicines are as effective as the branded ones?
In your opinion, should all medicines be free? Why or why not?

Summarization

Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.

Describe:

Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.

branded
symptoms
delay
purchase limit
expiration date