Medicines for flu, out of stock in most

pharmacies in the Philippines

Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
1. Do you take medicines immediately after feeling feverish? Why or why not?

2. What other vitamins or food do you take to boost your immune system?

3. What do you do to avoid getting sick?

Describe:
Give the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide
example sentences if needed.
1. branded

2. symptoms

3. delay

4. purchase limit

5. expiration date
Vocabulary:
Read the words, meanings, and sample sentences.
1. over-the-counter – an over-the-counter drug is bought from a drugstore without the person who buys

it has visited a doctor first. By ordinary purchase, with no need for a prescription.

Ex. These antibiotics are not over-the-counter. You need a doctor’s prescription to get them.

2. replenish – to fill something up again, (refill)

Ex. The stock in our pantry has been replenished. Now, let’s prepare something to eat.

3. hoarding – the act of collecting large amounts of something and keeping it for yourself, often in a

secret place

Ex. Hoarding of face masks and alcohol is strictly prohibited in the city.

4. generic – a product, especially a drug, that is no longer owned or legally controlled by a particular

company

Ex. The doctor always prescribes cheaper generic drugs with the same effectiveness.

5. shelf life – the length of time that something stays in good condition and can be used

Ex. This canned product has a guaranteed shelf life of one year.
Common Antibiotic Medicines
1. Amoxicillin - It is used to treat bacterial infections, such as chest infections (including pneumonia) and dental
abscesses.
2. Doxycycline - Doxycycline is an antibiotic. It's used to treat infections such as chest infections, skin infections,
rosacea, dental infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
3. Cephalexin - It’s used to treat bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and other chest infections, skin
infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
4. Ciprofloxacin - chest infections (including pneumonia), skin and bone infections, sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), conjunctivitis, eye infections, ear infections.
5. Clindamycin - treat certain types of bacterial infections, including infections of the lungs, skin, blood, female
reproductive organs, and internal organs. 
6. Metronidazole - is an antibiotic that is used to treat a wide variety of infections. It works by stopping the
growth of certain bacteria and parasites.
7. Azithromycin - It’s widely used to treat chest infections such as pneumonia, infections of the nose and throat
such as sinus infection (sinusitis), skin infections, Lyme disease, and some sexually transmitted infections.

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 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.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
1. What type of medicines has been out of stock in many Philippine drugstores?

2. Which major medicine manufacturer in the Philippines reported a shortage?

3. According to DTI, what caused the shortage?

4. What did the DOH and DTI say about considering generic drugs?

5. What two things should the Filipino public consider when panic buying, according to PHAP?

Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
1. What medicines do you usually take when you have a fever or flu?

2. What do you do to avoid getting sick from the cold weather?

3. Would you opt to buy generic drugs if branded ones ran out of stock? Why or why not?

4. Do you think cheaper generic medicines are as effective as branded ones?

5. In your opinion, should all medicines be free? Why or why not?