It's a pity that we are supposed to memorize the generic names of drugs rather than the brand names. The drug companies have fancy teams of marketers to make sure the newest drug brand name is unforgettable and rolls of the tongue in a phrase like: "Doctor, why haven't you tried prescribing me Requip? I saw an ad for it the other day on my television." They might follow up and provide you with their own diagnosis: "I didn't know my shaking leg was a disease! I always thought it was because of my 18 daily cups of coffee. I have Restless Leg Syndrome, and you can treat it, what a relief!" It's much easier to say Requip than its generic name ropinirole - that's 4 extra letters! It's completely unreasonable to expect the American public to say a word that long. Sometimes brand names have a handy way of remembering their drug's function, for example the drug Procede is supposed to keep your bald husband's hair from receding, catchy! The generic names of drugs don't provide this luxury. It doesn't matter that I remember the name Minoxidil because there are no hints revealing its function - it takes brute memorization to remember that it is the highly advertised hair loss drug Rogaine.
Abby and I have both started to pay attention the drug ads on TV because it's a little bit of studying hidden in our marathon of watching The Hills. Watching TV the other night, we noticed the newest drug for acid reflux. Before I give you the name of the drug, I want you to think of the board game Mad Gab where you get a card that says "Eye Mull Uvma Chine" which you repeat over and over again, until you finally yell out "I'm a love machine!" The name of the new drug is AcipHex. You know like acid effects on your stomach, only they used pH in the middle of the word (you know, like a measure of acidity!), and you pronounce it "ass effects." With this revolutionary drug, you can eat the entire plate of food shown to the right without the bothersome effects of acid reflux... or if you pronounce it my way, without the bothersome effects of flatulence.
--By Farrah, who is sorry. She phoned this blog in because she's starting to feel the pressure of board exams looming like the bleak gray skies of Toledo.
7 comments:
Weirdly, I find the brand names more difficult to remember.
It's probably because you're not bombarded with TV ads in merry old England, like we are here in the states. Maybe this is actually because I watch too much TV... well it's not my fault that new episodes of 30 Rock returned right when I should start studying for my exams.
I LOVE 30 ROCK! Donaghy is the best!
I didn't think yesterday's 30 Rock was that great. Oh silly Writer's Strike.
Also, the problem with learning generics in real life practice is that real doctors only the brand-name of drugs. Awkward for us in 3rd year!
Whatever, when Tina Fey said "Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate! Ack!" I laughed out loud. You know I don't just lol for anything. The rest of it was slightly lackluster, but it can only get better!
Do you guys get 30 Rock new episodes in England or are you on a season delay?
Also, I love Kenneth - he reminds me of me! Btw did you think that Tina Fey's makeup looked weird in this ep?
I don't think we get 30 Rock here on TV, I borrowed it from a buddy of mine so the last episode that I've seen is the one before last night's. I think it was the one with the German people who want to buy the company. I think it's one of the best written shows on TV, makes me laugh so much. My favourite people are Jack and Tracy, and maybe Liz.
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