This lesson plan analyses an article on a new cystic fibrosis drug and teaches associated vocabulary.
B2-C1 level
cystic: describing a cyst, from the Greek word kystis which means bladder or pouch. In the case of CF, the cysts form in the pancreas.
fibrosis: fibrous growth in an organ (in the case of CF, in the pancreas), from the Latin word fibra which means a fibre or filament.
life-extending: helping people live longer
life-shortening: condition which causes people to have a shorter life than the average person
life-threatening: condition which may cause a person to die
life-affirming: something which makes you feel glad to be alive
lifespan: the period of time that a person exists
lifetime: the period of time something or someone exists (I’ve seen many changes in my lifetime)
fatal: something which is able to cause death (I a fatal illness) or a serious consequence (a fatal flaw in the design of the building)
mortal: something that causes death, e.g. a mortal blow to the head
lethal: something which is specifically designed to cause death, e.g. a lethal injection to execute someone
terminal: likely to cause death, often used to describe the end stages of an illness, e.g. terminal cancer
deathly: something which resembles death, e.g. a deathly pallor (very pale skin)
1. Why do people with CF require frequent hospitalisation?
2. Why might the new drug be ‘good for taxpayers and patients’?
3. What is a ‘green light’? What other expression do you know with the same meaning?
A life-extending drug for cystic fibrosis will be available on the NHS in England, health bosses say.
NHS England reached a deal with the manufacturers of Orkambi, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, after months of negotiations. Patients should be able to get the drug within 30 days.
The drug improves lung function and can be given to children as young as two.
The firm wanted to charge £100,000 per patient per year, but a compromise has been reached in a confidential deal.
It is understood to be significantly less than the sum originally asked for.
It comes after the Scottish Government reached an agreement with the manufacturers last month.
Wales and Northern Ireland can also access the drug under the same terms negotiated by NHS England.
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