Welcome! In this short lesson you will practice common questions to use at the pharmacy. Read and listen, then try the quick activities to feel ready to ask for help with your medicine.
Level A2: Lesson 117 — In this lesson you'll learn eight practical pharmacy phrases for asking about prescriptions, missed doses, side effects, refills, and storage. Practice the exact questions you can say at the counter and get confident asking the pharmacist for clear instructions.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Level A2: Recognize and use common pharmacy questions for safe medicine use.
Ask and answer simple questions about missed doses, refills, sleepiness, and storage.
Practice speaking eight ready-to-use phrases aloud.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
When should I take the next dose?
Ask when to take the next dose of medicine
Meaning: Ask when to take the next dose.
When to use: Use this when you want to know the correct time for your next pill.
I took one tablet at 8 AM. When should I take the next dose?
I took one tablet at 8 AM. When should I take the next dose?
If I'm not sure about the schedule, I ask: 'When should I take the next dose?'
If I'm not sure about the schedule, I ask: 'When should I take the next dose?'
Can this make me sleepy?
Ask about drowsiness as a common medicine effect
Meaning: Ask whether the medicine causes drowsiness.
When to use: Use this before driving, working, or doing tasks that need focus.
Tip: Beginners sometimes say "Does this sleep you?" — say "make me sleepy" instead.
Can this make me sleepy? I drive to work.
Can this make me sleepy? I drive to work.
Before the appointment I asked: 'Can this make me sleepy?'
Before the appointment I asked: 'Can this make me sleepy?'
Can you explain the instructions?
Ask the pharmacist to clarify medicine directions
Meaning: Ask the pharmacist to explain how to use the medicine.
When to use: Use this if the label or instructions are unclear.
The label is confusing. Can you explain the instructions?
The label is confusing. Can you explain the instructions?
Can you explain the instructions for this spray?
Can you explain the instructions for this spray?
I'm here to pick up a prescription.
Say why you are at the pharmacy
Meaning: Tell the staff you have come to collect prescribed medicine.
When to use: Say this when you arrive at the counter to pick up a prescription.
I'm here to pick up a prescription for Anna Lee.
I'm here to pick up a prescription for Anna Lee.
Hi—I'm here to pick up a prescription.
Hi—I'm here to pick up a prescription.
Can I get a refill of this medicine?
Ask for more of a regular medicine
Meaning: Ask for a refill of your regular medicine.
When to use: Use this when you need more medicine the doctor prescribed before.
Tip: Don't say "more of this" without 'refill' — 'refill' is the common word at a pharmacy.
I take this every month. Can I get a refill of this medicine?
I take this every month. Can I get a refill of this medicine?
Can I get a refill of this medicine today?
Can I get a refill of this medicine today?
I missed a dose.
Report that a dose was not taken
Meaning: Tell the pharmacist you did not take one dose.
When to use: Use this to explain a missed dose before asking for advice.
I missed a dose this morning.
I missed a dose this morning.
I missed a dose yesterday and I'm worried.
I missed a dose yesterday and I'm worried.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Ask what to do after missing medicine
Meaning: Ask what to do after missing a dose.
When to use: Ask this after you say you missed a dose.
I missed a dose. What should I do if I miss a dose?
I missed a dose. What should I do if I miss a dose?
What should I do if I miss a dose of this antibiotic?
What should I do if I miss a dose of this antibiotic?
How should I store this medicine?
Ask about storing medicine correctly
Meaning: Ask how to keep the medicine safely.
When to use: Use this to ask about room temperature, refrigerator, or light exposure.
How should I store this medicine?
How should I store this medicine?
Do I need to refrigerate this? How should I store this medicine?
Do I need to refrigerate this? How should I store this medicine?
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
At the pharmacy counter when picking up a prescription
Why did Anna come to the pharmacy?
Anna
I'm here to pick up a prescription.
Say why you are at the pharmacy
David
Here it is. Do you have any questions?
Offering help after handing over the medicine
Anna
I missed a dose yesterday. What should I do if I miss a dose?
Report a missed dose and ask for advice
David
If it was one dose, take it when you remember. Try not to double up.
Pharmacist gives general advice
Anna
When should I take the next dose? Also, can this make me sleepy?
Ask about timing and drowsiness
David
I will explain the instructions and how to store it. You can also ask for a refill later.
Pharmacist offers more help and mentions refills and storage
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which question asks what to do after missing medicine?
Which phrase tells the staff you are collecting medicine?
Which question asks about keeping medicine in the fridge or at room temperature?
You need to know if a medicine will make you too drowsy to drive. What do you ask?
I ran out of pills. Can I get a refill of this medicine?
I ran out of pills. ___
The label is confusing. Can you explain the instructions?
The label is confusing. ___
I have to drive later. Can this make me sleepy?
I have to drive later. ___
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
