Chemist - Rip off

[BrisWesty]

Both daughters have ear and chest infections at the moment so off we go to the doctor (again). Went to the doctor on Saturday with the youngest. Time wasn't pressing afterwards and needed a couple of additional items (puffers etc) so decided to try out the healthe-pharmacy at Rothwell. Among the items were antibiotics ($7.95 for 250ml).

Went back to the doctor on Monday with the eldest. Mrs BW went to the chemist at Morayfield Shopping Centre and antibiotics were $19.55 for the same item, and the same amount. :shock: Gee, I'm glad she asked for the cheaper generic brand or else they really might have gouged us. :twisted: How can they bump the price up by 250%?

We will be visiting them again later this week and advising them that we will no longer be needing their services.

[3oneday]

Pretty big difference :shock: :shock: bloody kids, expensive little buggers 8) :lol: :lol:

[amanda]

Briswesty - chemists can charge anything they like above the minimum govt price - and the software they use from the drug companies typically adds a huge markup.

We go to the Chemist Warehouse - one medication I am on is usually $50 for 6 months - some chemists have tried to charge me $80!

Qld locations at:
http://www.epharmacy.com.au/aboutus/storelocations.asp#qld

[Jarro]

is there really ANY difference between name brands and cheaper generic brands when it comes to antibiotics and medicines :?: :smt017

[3oneday]

is there really ANY difference between name brands and cheaper generic brands when it comes to antibiotics and medicines  :?:  :smt017it's a good debate that one, I only ever buy the name brands, or the ones the Doctor pescribes, but my wife always gets the generic ones, stuffed if I know. I just put my trust in the doctor and get what he says.

I suppose the other Doc could answer for us :wink: if he was speaking to us !!!! :lol: :lol:

[Jono]

Generic ones are just as good. In fact, your doctor should be prescribing using the generic name for the drug. There are only handful of drugs where it matters what brand you get (eg. warfarin). Many GP's use trade names probably because they are easy to remember ... or they have a screen saver on their computer from the drug rep ... :wink:

Would you know what I was giving you if I prescribed "Sildenafil" ?

[3oneday]

Would you know what I was giving you if I prescribed "Sildenafil" ?Doc, after yesterday I don't believe myself or Trung would be visiting you for scripts for quite some time :wink:

:lol: :lol:

[Jono]

You probably have some anyway ... (aka Viagra) ... for all the tossing you and Trung get up to ... :roll: :lol:

[senecio]

[quote="BrisWesty"]Gee, I'm glad she asked for the cheaper generic brand or else they really might have gouged us. :twisted:   How can they bump the price up by 250%?
quote]

All I can say is

"Ask your pharmacist for Alphapharm"

And keep me in a job :D

Ryan