地道美语听力练习:等待药物审批

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?