2015年ESL之就医和人际交往 03 Waiting for Drug Approval（在线收听）

Waiting for Drug Approval 

Florence: A package came for you. I think it’s from overseas. 

Alexander: Oh, those are my drugs. 

Florence: You’re buying your medication from overseas? 

Alexander: I have no choice. This drug isn’t FDA- approved yet. 

Florence: Isn’t it dangerous to take a drug that isn’t approved? 

Alexander: Not if it’s been approved in other countries. This drug is considered experimental here, but has been used in other countries safely for years. 

Florence: But shouldn’t you just wait? How long could the process take anyway? 

Alexander: You have no idea. It can take years for a drug to be approved here, especially those that aren’t fast- tracked. 

Florence: That’s hard to believe. 

Alexander: It’s true. First, it has to be tested on animals or in a lab, and then it has to go through clinical trials. Only then is it put through a rigorous review by the FDA, which alone can take years. 

Florence: You’re right. I had no idea. 

Alexander: In the meantime, I’m suffering needlessly. 

Florence: You can’t legally import the drug for your own use, right? 

Alexander: That’s right, but I feel like I have to circumvent the law to get the medicine I need. 

Florence: So how does it feel to be an outlaw? 

Alexander: Um, healthy? 

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse