Medicijnen

English translation: medication(s)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Dutch term or phrase:Medicijnen
English translation:medication(s)
Entered by: adremco

11:58 Aug 18, 2010
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Medical - Advertising / Public Relations
Dutch term or phrase: Medicijnen
The question is whether to go for "medicines" or "drugs." The report I'm translating is described in an earlier question (see link below). It's about the negative consequences of pharmaceutical companies public information campaigns, which ultimately (in some cases) make people believe they are suffering from a disease they didn't even know about, so that they go to their doctor to get a medicine - manufactured by the pharmaceutical company that set up the public information campaign.

I translate a lot of stuff related to medicines and health, and I always go for the respectable term "medicines". But maybe here "drugs" is more appropriate, because it has a bit of a negative connotation.

Also, I found a translation for the Dutch organisation KOAG (Keuringsraad Openlijke Aanprijzing Geneesmiddelen), which is Inspection Board for the Public Commendation of Registered Drugs.

Few examples below, but it's really just about how you want the issue to come across.

Farmaceutische bedrijven informeren het publiek op verschillende manieren over ziekten, aandoeningen en geneesmiddelen. Ze brengen in voorlichtingscampagnes symptomen onder de aandacht van het publiek, ofwel: maken symptoomreclame. Disease mongering is in de internationale literatuur gedefinieerd als het verkopen van ziektegevoel zodat de grenzen tussen gezond en ziek vervagen en de vraag naar behandeling toeneemt.

Uit ons onderzoek blijkt dat de farmaceutische industrie de ruimte die het begrip 'informatie' biedt, gebruikt bij marketing in de vorm van symptoomreclame. Hierbij houden farmaceutische bedrijven campagnes om consumenten te wijzen op klachten of aandoeningen waarvoor een medicamenteuze oplossing bestaat. Deze campagnes hebben aantoonbaar effect op het geneesmiddelengebruik. Een voorbeeld is de 'Schimpie' campagne, die in mei 2000 werd uitgevoerd.

Meer info: http://www.proz.com/kudoz/3979273
adremco
Local time: 13:30
medication(s)
Explanation:
Whenever the context allows, I prefer medication over drugs or medicines. Drugs is too informal. Medicines is probably not so up to date. I would say it to a child "you need to take your medicine". Pharmaceutical industry informs us about medications.
Selected response from:

Lianne van de Ven
United States
Local time: 06:30
Grading comment
Thanks, I'll vary between medication and medicines ;)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +8medication(s)
Lianne van de Ven


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +8
medication(s)


Explanation:
Whenever the context allows, I prefer medication over drugs or medicines. Drugs is too informal. Medicines is probably not so up to date. I would say it to a child "you need to take your medicine". Pharmaceutical industry informs us about medications.

Lianne van de Ven
United States
Local time: 06:30
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
Thanks, I'll vary between medication and medicines ;)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kate Hudson (X)
9 mins

agree  Jack den Haan
9 mins

agree  Barend van Zadelhoff: in the example sentences "geneesmiddelen" is used in a neutral sense and this translation sounds good to me
22 mins

agree  David Walker (X)
24 mins

agree  Textpertise
5 hrs

agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
6 hrs

agree  sindy cremer
10 hrs

agree  Elwing95
1 day 11 mins
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