Any PHARMACISTS on here? Quick pricing query

[greenbananas1]

I get a private prescription from my consultant every few months and have always paid around £9 for the item ( each month). I get several items on one prescription and the charges are never completely itemised, but I know they are all under £10 each.

Today there was a locum at the pharmacy. First she couldn't find the product on the shelf and thought she'd have to order it so I had to describe the packaging and it was there. Then she asked me how much I usually paid for it (!). I told her and it was the same as she could see on the screen BUT she then added on another 50% saying this was what was 'normal' for private scripts, PLUS another £2 dispensing charge. I don't think I have ever paid the cost per item @ 1.5 times in the 7 years I've had this drug.

she clearly wasn't sure because she gave me an itemised receipt and said she's mark it on my notes for the next time (when a new full time pharmacist will be there.)

Any ideas?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

As I vet I regularly purchase a particular human product from the pharmacy on a private script. We have never been charged the same price twice in several years. I have challenged it, but in this chain individual pharmacists have discretion over mark ups for private prescriptions.

[greenbananas1]

Thanks- interesting.
I used to get the items in a central London pharmacy - a very well know one- and thought they were pricey, so I started getting it locally which was cheaper.

I assumed I was always paying the RRP ( kind of!) and a small dispensing fee.

I assumed that the fee on the screen which they see is the price to the customer, already with a mark up, and not the actual wholesale price which the pharmacy has paid, because I know the wholesale price is around £4.50 . I was paying around £9 last month ( per item.) under the old pharmacist who wasn't there today. she has charged me £9 + 50% per item + £2 for dispensing. I think this is wrong.

[greenbananas1]

An update Lone if you read. I phoned them because I was sure it was incorrect and after much discussion with me on hold it turns out they made a mistake and I am owed over £10 back.

[caroldecker]

They can charge what they want - in the past, for a particularly expensive item, i have shopped around and the price has varied by over 200%.
small, owner managed pharmacies appear to have more flexibility in pricing.