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Member's Question: 'Does anyone else feel that they are being ripped off by their pharmacy?'​

Hey there, members!

We’re wrapping up the week with another round of our ‘Members Helping Members’ segment: your space to share tips, advice, and a little wisdom with each other.

For today, here's a question from an anonymous member:

Does anyone else feel that they are being ripped off by their pharmacy?
My pharmacist does not precisely stick to the scripts provided, even when the doctor requests "NO GENERICS", he still gives generics, which isn't working for me,

When I bring it up, the pharmacist makes a biggest fuss about it, ten eventually gives me the correct medication, but charges me for BOTH as well as another delivery.
And a few months later it starts again, sometimes even the very next month.

He was charging me for double medication (telling me it's because the doctor used separate scripts). But, when the doctor would prescribe only one script per month, stating:
medication 50mg x 30 tablets
Take 2 x tablets daily
He would charge me twice, every month, for over 3 years.

I was also told by three of his young sales ladies, (not professionals), that THEY are made to fill the blister packs, which I have since found out is illegal.
With this, amongst other issues, I made a complaint to the Health Ombudsman, resulting in, "We don't find the pharmacist doing anything wrong." Never once interviewing me!

I can't believe the outcome and feel very used and upset.

Got advice, tips, or experience to share? Comment down below!

If you also want to ask a question or for advice, you can always send yours via our anonymous form or simply post in our Members Helping Members forum!

 

[gamiry]

I can only say my chemist dances attention on everyone especially if you need help walking. They always have a kind word and beautiful smile. A shout out to Ramsay Pharmacy in Bundaberg


SOMETHING JUST REMEMBERED. ... If anyone is taking METFORMEN and find they have huge diahorea problems STOP TAKING THEM. I was given these after an operation for bowel cancer and put up with this problem for 10 (ten) years before I found out about this wretched stuff.

 

[tcerff]

I’m sorry for your experience. My pharmacist is wonderful. A tip I have for chronic conditions that require many repeat scripts- my Doctor provides a “double” script, meaning I get two packets of the medication for the same price as one !! You could ask your doctor to do likewise to save you lots of money.

 

[Viellarde]

I’m sorry for your experience. My pharmacist is wonderful. A tip I have for chronic conditions that require many repeat scripts- my Doctor provides a “double” script, meaning I get two packets of the medication for the same price as one !! You could ask your doctor to do likewise to save you lots of money.

Has been automatic for a while.

 

[starrysnan]

Is this the only pharmacist you can use? Our pharmacist is very helpful and caring which as professionals they should be. He definitely should not be charging you twice for the same medication.

 

[Benny's Light]

We go to the local pharmacist in our shopping village and have for over twenty years. They are very good and know their regular customers by name. They are always helpful and do their best to help out whenever they can. They are about personal customer service which they deliver brilliantly. Some of the bigger and cheaper warehouse chains do not offer this kind of service and have a big turnover of staff.

 

[goatwhisperer]

I usually get generics if they are available. Much cheaper for starters if OTC. Same price if a prescription and particularly if you have a concession card There is NO difference in the active ingredient(drug) between generic and name brand. There is a big price difference with generic being cheaper and that is because the original have spent a lot of money marketing their product. Unless you have a specific allergy to fillers and colours in medications they all work exactly the same. They are all thoroughly tested through TGA. Many people are under the illusion that generics dont work as well. That is a myth.

 

[Morgans Orchard]

I have a pacemaker and will be 88 years old tomorow . Recently I had a yearly checkup with my heart specialist he fly’s up from Brisbane every Monday. Every year I see him he has changed my tablets . Please bring $500 with you . Last time he gave me a prescription for FORXIGAR tablets NO printout was in the box to warn you of side affects etc . Nor did the specialist explain The Chemist DID NOT give me aprintout either Usually they come and say you haven’t had these tablets before and explain that to you as well NOTHING . I took the tablet for ten days and the side effects have nearly killed me 3 months to the day and I still can’t eat certain foods . All the X-rays I have been for is me being a Guinea pig for the brand of tablet . when I read the side affects on this tablet I would never have taken it . So please when you go to chemist for new prescription ask for printout . And don’t take FORXIGAR

 

[Isis]

Fortunately not our chemist, been going to the same one for 15 years, they always ask me if I want generics and never mind if I do,
Such an important thing so sorry for you.

 

[Clancieblue]

Make a point of want you want when you present your script.

 

[Reet]

Report them to the medical authorities as well as to the doctor who wrote the prescription. Ask that something be done about the pharmacist who disregards the note on the script.

 

[Reet]

I can only say my chemist dances attention on everyone especially if you need help walking. They always have a kind word and beautiful smile. A shout out to Ramsay Pharmacy in Bundaberg

I have a Chemist who is also very thoughtful and will tell you any side effects of a new prescription before handing it over. A shout out for Southside Pharmacy at South Grafton!

 

[Viellarde]

My chemist just changed hands. I collected my 'regular' meds last week and, because I was unwell on the day, I failed to notice I was given generics. Not happy but too sick to go back. As soon as I can, I shall certainly remind the new chemist to read his screen properly.

I usually get generics if they are available. Much cheaper for starters if OTC. Same price if a prescription and particularly if you have a concession card There is NO difference in the active ingredient(drug) between generic and name brand. There is a big price difference with generic being cheaper and that is because the original have spent a lot of money marketing their product. Unless you have a specific allergy to fillers and colours in medications they all work exactly the same. They are all thoroughly tested through TGA. Many people are under the illusion that generics dont work as well. That is a myth.

As you say, the fillers are the problem for some.

 

[Smithlou]

A new Chemist took over our Pharmacy.. Generics were placed intio my Webster pack. I said nothing for sometime and then , over the a few days , the tablets built up in my body, and I reacted with vomiting and diarrhea. No Maxitxi available, on a friday, to visit a GP. I found it was a generic substitute,. So I called the Owner of the shop and had the pack changed.
I think these tablets are replaced by our chemist to save costs, they claim the tablets are the same but the base of the drug, is different, and that is what we react to

 

[Morgans Orchard]

Smithlou I have also had the same problem as you with generic brands in Webster pack . plus all the tablets were placed together and I couldn’t sort them out . My GP arranged for me to have the original prescriptions I pay xtra for them but like you I find they work better.

 

[PattiB]

I also can’t handle generic drugs, and our local pharmacy made the mistake of substituting my tablets , once. They’re not brave enough to repeat the stuff up again. The same thing happened on our last trip to WA. I’ve gone to the same pharmacy for over 15 years, and always explained the generic problem, but last time they substituted my 3 tablets. It is now written on my file to never ever do it again.
Im so sorry that this is happing to our anonymous member, but I’d be having a chat to the Pharmacist and explaining that repeating what he’s doing is not acceptable. Remember that you’re the customer! I’d also mention it to your GP. After all Pharmacies are there to provide a service, not dispense whatever they feel like.