Great vs. Greedy Chemists

I'm blown away... I'd been advised (thanks, Aimee! ) to shop around for the chemist to fill Ella's Epipen prescription at as their prices can differ a little... but I did not expect this much! The chemist recommended to me by the hospital (I won't say who... ahem... but no prizes for guessing!) said it'd cost $220. My regular chemist, (big up's to my regular chemist - they're great!), tells me he needs to order it in as it's dated stock (this is good that they order it in), and it's $(edited).

Now what I can't get over is that the pharmacy people are most likely to buy their Epipens from has such a monstrous mark-up, all in the name of making $$$ out of people's health emergencies! That's completely shameful! I'm so glad I found it at a better price, but I can't believe the mark-up they're allowed to put on something that's unsubsidised and life-saving. It's not like people are buying them unnecessarily, or abusing them. Greed like that when we live in a country where we already have all we need never fails to shock me.    

Edited: Erm, I picked it up and was informed that there'd been a mistake in the price that was quoted me - I still purchased it at that price, but I don't want to get anyone in trouble with my post, because really they were very good about it.

Edited by Andie

We always use Cook st pharmacy now. We never ever wait more than 5 mins to get a script. They have never charged us a surcharge for "free" scripts. Everything about them just rocks!

Yay for you getting a good deal Andie!

We've found the same with the girls Ciproxin ear drops, they are unsubsidised and we've paid anywhere between $30-$50 for them depending on the pharmacy. Daylight robbery.

There are alot of pharmacies that are adding an extra charge probally per item which is to supposidly cover the extra costs involved in dispensing. (the pharmacy still gets the same dispensing fee i think that it has got for many years or it may have risen just slightly)

They are saying everything in life has risen in price in the last 5 or so years so why has the dispensing fee stayed the same. I think this is quite right but dont know if charging the customer is the right way to go about it. This always causes big contract negotiations but doesnt ever seemed to get sorted.

We do charge an extra fee for after hours scripts of $1 per item and that is taken very easily for most customers but that is to cover some of the extra costs of being open after hours.

Oh yay for my Uncle Al pulling through for ya Andie. I'll pass on the feedback to him... and similarly so, if you have any constructive criticism then please let me know as well as he'd really appreciate the feedback.

ETA: changed wording

Edited by nikkiwhyte

hehe yay for a good deal via misquote!!

I got Hannah's recent script from the pharmacy tacked onto the After hours centre. Last time I do that. Charged me a 50c processing fee too which is just stupid when Hannah's script was fully covered. Gah.

Gonna stick with my trusty local chemist at Kilbirnie. They are super lovely!

Edited by nikkiwhyte