Price competition criticised
Price competition between pharmacies has been criticised in The
Times after the newspaper found that the cost of having a private prescription dispensed could vary dramatically.
The newspaper found that a one-month private supply of Aricept, which
the NHS expected to stop supplying, varied from £90 to £145.
It also found that prices could vary between different branches of Boots.
Boots has admitted that it charges different prices for the same product.
Steve Churton, assistant pharmacy superintendent, said: “The correct
prices for a private prescription for Suprefact Nasal Spray (4 pack),
for example, are £145 in central London, £105 through boots.com
and £130 elsewhere. … We aim always to give our customers the
best value we can and price differences reflect differences in our distribution
costs.”
David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement at the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society, said: “Pharmacists must determine their
own charges for private dispensing. Competition law does not allow professional
bodies or trade associations to publish recommended scales of charges.” |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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