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Ex-factory prices set by Govt and suppliers, with reference to a basket of other countries.
Then a wholesale mark-up of 10% is added. That used to be 17.65% and the 3 wholesalers would give half of it as a discount to pharmacies.
The "reimbursement cost" of ex-factory +10% is what the HSE pay the pharmacy, under both the DPS and the GMS schemes.
Then the pharmacy adds a retail mark-up of:
0% - GMS scheme
20% - DPS (was 50%)
The recent RTE consumer show was about pharmacies sticking to the old 50% retail mark-up.
The DPS threshold is currently 120 euro per month (as calculated by the State's system). If the State is not paying for a prescription, then it is being paid for by the patient - this is a private transaction between the patient and the pharmacy, no public/state involvement, hence private prescription.
Below the DPS threshold, like anything else in a business, a pharmacy can decide what price that it charges. So yes, paying 75 euro, that may include a 50% mark-up. Or it may instead include a 20%, 30%, 40%, 60% or whatever mark-up. This is for each pharmacy to decide for themselves.
But the amount the gov will pay over the 120 pm depends on the agreed price for the drug. There are 2 agreed prices, one for GMS scheme and the other for DPS. It's price fixing and no mistake about it.
I buy my prescriptions in Northern Ireland at half the cost. Slim
Fizzelina - How many months prescriptions would they give you in spain? sLIM
Not sure if this is on the correct thread but can anyone tell me if the pharmacist is supposed to list the price of each individual medicine on the receipt? I get 4-5 different medications every month on a repeat prescription and the receipt only ever says: Total E120. So there is no way I could shop around / compare prices since I dont know what the prices are!!
I always discuss the price of my prescription with the chemist before purchase. I also ask if there is a cheaper generic version available etc.
I always discuss the price of my prescription with the chemist before purchase. I also ask if there is a cheaper generic version available etc. I have even played one pharmacy off against the other on price.
I cannot understand why you don't simply ask?
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