Hi OzBargain,
Can anyone please explain to me why am I required to pay an extra $39.50 just to pick up medication from the hospital pharmacy when I have already paid for the medication?
I looked it up on PBS website and it is called ‘Additional Fee’.
I cannot see how the hospital phramacy is providing any value for the $39.50 and the doctor has taught me how to take the pills.
I asked the nurse and she replied it is a compulsory fee.
Pharmacists have responsibilities separate and independent of doctors - such as telling you how to take the medicine. These aren't avoidable and if you pick up meds from them, they have to go through that process. The money is likely for their costs of staffing and maintaining inventory and other overheads.
Why are those costs $40 more in a hospital than a normal chemist?
probably to dissuade everyone from filling their prescriptions there
It's probably to manage the amount of orders they need to fill and this $40 is the premium to have that service available in the hospital.
this is all speculation tho
Because a normal chemist already factors all those into their costs. A hospital pharmacist is really meant for use in-house.
Wanted to help you by looking at where you are located… but on an unrelated note - congratulations on having the will power to not post/comment anything for 6 years from account creation!
ps.: how did you remember the password from so long ago?
Could have been using OzB regularly, just hardcore lurking?
Ninja level lurking skills
Lee like lurking skills…
Plot twist, he was in a coma for six years and he needs these pills to stop from dropping into another one. He spent too long arguing with the pharmacist and now he's zzzzzzzz
I guess good thing he was at a hospital pharmacy…
Which hospital which state?
Let's wait for a response in 6 years time.
Clearly, the OP has taken a vow of silence…
Anyhoo, Dr Google says:
http://www.pbs.gov.au/info/general/faq#WhatistheAdditionalfe…
Also, Man walked on the Moon…
(who knew) lol
Why don't you take your prescription and go to a different pharmacy?
That's the price for your subsidised medication.
Inpatient? Any medication prescribed as an inpatient (QLD) should be fully covered by medicare. Not sure which state you're in so YMMV