Everyday situations
What to say at the pharmacy in English
A2
Asking for medicine without a prescription, understanding the instructions, mentioning an allergy: the phrases you need to get the right medicine.
Quick answer
Pharmacies in the UK and the US work in different ways. In the US, many medicines are on open shelves in huge drugstores like CVS or Walgreens, which also sell food, photo services and make-up. In the UK, the chemist is a more traditional pharmacy, with a clear line between over-the-counter medicine (no prescription needed) and prescription only medicine. A common trap: drugs can mean medicines, but also illegal drugs. For medicines, say medication, medicine or pills/tablets. And always mention your allergies. Medicines and rules are not the same in every country: a medicine you can buy freely in one country may need a prescription in another.
Step by step
Each step follows a typical conversation. Lines marked “or” are other possible answers, depending on the situation.
1. Arriving and explaining what you need
Give your symptom and say how long you have had it. The pharmacist will ask questions to understand better.
- You
Hi, do you have something for a sore throat?
orI need something for hay fever.
orCould you recommend something for a headache?
orI'm looking for some painkillers.
- Other person
Sure. Are the symptoms severe or mild?
- You
I've had a bad cold for three days.
- Other person
Have you tried anything for it already?
- You
Only honey and lemon so far.
- Other person
Is it for an adult or a child?
- You
It's for me.
- Other person
OK, I'd suggest these lozenges.
2. Showing a prescription
A prescription from another country is not always accepted. Bring the original and the name of the active ingredient.
- You
Hi, I have a prescription to fill.
- Other person
Is this prescription from outside the country?
- You
Yes, it's from France.
- Other person
I'm afraid we can't dispense based on a foreign prescription.
orOf course, we can do that. It'll be ready in 15 minutes.
→ Another possible answer: the foreign prescription is accepted, so the rest of the conversation changes. - You
Could you suggest an equivalent over-the-counter alternative?
- Other person
Yes, I can give you something similar. It'll be ready in 15 minutes.
- You
Could I have a generic version?
→ A generic is much cheaper, with the same active ingredient. - Other person
Of course, the generic is cheaper.
- You
Is this covered by my insurance?
US→ A very important question in the US: without insurance, prices can be very high. - Other person
Let me check your insurance card.
US
3. Mentioning allergies and other medicines
This helps to avoid a dangerous mix of medicines. Always mention it.
- You
I'm allergic to penicillin.
orI'm allergic to aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Other person
Are you taking any other medication?
- You
I'm on blood pressure medication.
orI'm taking the contraceptive pill.
- You
Could this interact with my other medication?
- Other person
Let me check. Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- You
I'm pregnant, is this safe?
orNo, I'm not.
- Other person
Let me double-check that for you.
4. Understanding the instructions
Dose, how often, how long, and with or without food. Ask again if you have any doubt.
- You
How should I take this?
- Other person
Take one tablet three times a day, after meals.
orTake two pills every 4 to 6 hours, as needed.
- Other person
Don't take more than 8 in 24 hours.
- You
Do I take it before or after meals?
- Other person
After meals is best. Take it with a full glass of water.
- You
What are the side effects?
- Other person
It may cause drowsiness, avoid driving.
- You
How long should I take it?
- Other person
For 5 to 7 days. Stop if it gets worse.
5. Other common requests
Tests, the morning-after pill, travel vaccines, advice: in the UK and the US, the pharmacist is often the first person to ask for health advice.
- You
Do you sell COVID tests?
- Other person
Yes, they're on the shelf by the till.
- You
I need the morning-after pill.
→ In the UK, you can get it without a prescription after a short talk with the pharmacist. - Other person
Of course. I'll just ask you a few questions first.
- You
Where are the plasters?
UKorWhere are the Band-Aids?
US - Other person
Aisle 3, on the left.
- You
Do you do travel vaccines?
- Other person
Yes, you need to book an appointment.
- You
Could you check my blood pressure?
→ In the UK, this service is often free. - Other person
Of course, take a seat.
- You
How much is this without insurance?
US - Other person
It's about $15 without insurance.
US
Useful vocabulary
Types of medicine
- medication / medicinesomething you take to get better
- a tablet / a pilla small solid medicine you swallow
- a capsulea small soft shell with medicine inside
- a syrupa sweet liquid medicine
- a cream / an ointmenta thick medicine for your skin
- eye dropsliquid medicine for your eyes
- a spraymedicine sprayed into your nose or mouth
- an inhalera device to breathe medicine in
Kinds of medicine
- painkillersmedicines that stop pain
- antibioticsmedicines that kill bacteria
- antihistaminesmedicines for allergies like hay fever
- anti-inflammatoriesmedicines that reduce swelling
- antiseptica product that cleans a wound
- paracetamol / acetaminophen(UK)a common medicine for pain and fever
- ibuprofena medicine for pain and swelling
- aspirinan old, common medicine for pain
Dosage
- dosagehow much medicine to take and when
- a dosethe amount you take at one time
- frequencyhow often you take it
- side effectsunwanted effects of a medicine
- drowsinessfeeling sleepy
- on an empty stomachbefore eating anything
- with food / after mealswhile or after you eat
- as neededonly when you need it
First aid
- a plaster(UK)a sticky strip for a small cut
- a Band-Aid(US)a sticky strip for a small cut
- a bandagea long strip of cloth for a wound
- cotton wool / cotton balls(UK)soft white material for cleaning skin
- a thermometera tool that measures your temperature
- tissuessoft paper for your nose
- sunscreencream that protects skin from the sun
- condomsa type of contraception
UK vs US: what changes
| You want to say… | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Shop that sells medicine | Chemist / chemist's | Drugstore / pharmacy |
| Person who prepares and sells medicine | Chemist / pharmacist | Pharmacist |
| Common pain medicine | Paracetamol | Acetaminophen (Tylenol) |
| Sticky strip for a small cut | Plaster | Band-Aid |
| Soft paper for your nose | Tissues / Kleenex | Tissues / Kleenex |
| Without a prescription | Over-the-counter (OTC) | Over-the-counter (OTC) |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Drugs ❌ (when you mean medicine)
The word drugs is ambiguous in English. At the doctor's or the pharmacy, it can mean medicines or illegal drugs. ✓ For your medicines, say medication, medicine or pills/tablets. The pharmacist will ask Are you taking any medication?, not any drugs?
2. Paracetamol ❌ in the US
In the US, paracetamol is called acetaminophen, and it is sold under the brand name Tylenol. If you ask for paracetamol in an American pharmacy, the pharmacist may not understand you. In the UK and the rest of the English-speaking world, people understand paracetamol. Ibuprofen has the same name everywhere.
3. I have an allergy of ❌
The preposition is to, never of. ✓ I'm allergic to penicillin or I have an allergy to penicillin. This is very important at the pharmacy: always mention it before you buy or receive any medicine, even an over-the-counter one.
4. A foreign prescription ❌ in the UK and the US
Pharmacies in the UK and the US almost always refuse a prescription from another country (for patient safety and insurance reasons). Plan B: 1) ask for an over-the-counter alternative for small problems, 2) see a local doctor (an NHS walk-in centre in the UK, urgent care in the US) to get a new prescription, 3) call your own doctor at home and ask for a translated prescription.
5. Take it before to sleep ❌
After before, use the -ing form of the verb. ✓ Take it before going to bed. ✓ Take it before driving. ✗ Take it before to sleep. It is the same with after: after eating, not after to eat.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What do you call a pharmacy in the UK?+
In the UK: chemist or chemist's (the longer form is chemist's shop). In the US: drugstore or pharmacy. Pharmacy works everywhere, but it sounds a little more formal in the UK. Drugstore is typically American: it is often a big shop that also sells food, photo services and more.
What is the difference between medicine and medication?+
Three words are useful. Medication is formal: health workers use it most. Medicine is general: it works for adults and children. Pills and tablets are concrete: they describe the form. Avoid drugs on its own: it can mean medicines, but also illegal drugs. If you take a medicine regularly, say I'm on + type + medication (for example, I'm on blood pressure medication).
How do you say you are allergic to a medicine?+
Say I'm allergic to + the name of the medicine or its active ingredient. You need to, never of. Another way: I have an allergy to + substance. Always say it before you buy any medicine, even an over-the-counter one. For a serious allergy: I have a severe allergy to + substance.
How do you understand medicine instructions in English?+
Look for six things. 1) The dose: one / two tablets. 2) How often: twice a day, every 8 hours, every 4 to 6 hours. 3) When: after meals, with food, on an empty stomach, before bed. 4) How long: for 5 to 7 days, until the symptoms disappear. 5) The limit: no more than X in 24 hours. 6) Special warnings: avoid alcohol / avoid driving.
What is the difference between paracetamol and acetaminophen?+
It is exactly the same active ingredient with a different name. It is paracetamol in the UK, Australia and most of the world, and acetaminophen in the US (the best-known brand is Tylenol). If you ask an American pharmacist for paracetamol, they may not understand you.
What does over the counter mean?+
Over-the-counter (OTC) is the standard phrase for medicine you can buy without a prescription. ✓ Is this available over-the-counter? ✓ I'd like something over-the-counter for + symptom. The opposite is prescription only (Rx only in the US). The pharmacist may say It's prescription only. You'll need to see a doctor.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/situations/at-the-pharmacy
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