Following the recent announcement by the Department of Health on the revised dispensing fee, South African retailer Pick ‘n Pay announced on Wednesday that all medicine prices in its pharmacies will remain at the current levels until the end of this year.
Hippo Zourides, Pick ‘n Pay’s head of pharmacies, said that this move was in line with the government’s drive “to achieve accessible and affordable health care for all South Africans”.
The newly announced dispensing fee will add a new burden on all South Africans and all pharmacies will be adjusting their dispensing fees between now and January 1, the company said.
“At this time of the year, most people with medical aid cover are running out of benefits and those without medical cover have other expenses to contend with during the festive season.
“Pick ‘n Pay took the decision to keep all scheduled medicines at the current prices, which have been in effect since May 2004. No extra administration fees are due in our pharmacies,” said Zourides.
Pick ‘n Pay pharmacies are located in various Hypermarkets in Gauteng (Bedworth, Boksburg, Faerie Glen, Norwood, Steeledale), in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban North) and in the Western Cape (Brackenfell and Ottery). Later in November, pharmacies will be open the new format Hypermarkets in Centurion and Montana in the Pretoria area. — I-Net Bridge