Why are pharmacies allowed to price gouge for prescriptions and medical supplies?
Eric D asked:
My 1 year old daughter has been wheezing a lot lately and the doctor prescribed her proventil (an inhaler) and a spacer with a mask to deliver the puffs (since she is incapable of following instructions to use a regular inhaler). Insurance wouldn’t cover the spacer, so I ended up paying $71.99 for it at CVS. Then, when I got home, I looked up the spacer online and found it for sale widespread for $28! It seems like the pharmacy has price gouged here, did they not? After all, people tend to go to pharmacies for these types of things when they have an urgent or emergency situation. Why not jack up the price 3x the normal amount? I’m angry right now, is there anything I can do?
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My 1 year old daughter has been wheezing a lot lately and the doctor prescribed her proventil (an inhaler) and a spacer with a mask to deliver the puffs (since she is incapable of following instructions to use a regular inhaler). Insurance wouldn’t cover the spacer, so I ended up paying $71.99 for it at CVS. Then, when I got home, I looked up the spacer online and found it for sale widespread for $28! It seems like the pharmacy has price gouged here, did they not? After all, people tend to go to pharmacies for these types of things when they have an urgent or emergency situation. Why not jack up the price 3x the normal amount? I’m angry right now, is there anything I can do?
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Pharmacies do not price gauge. In fact, it is not uncommon for pharmacies to lose money on prescriptions. The only way to stay in business is to have a larger profit on generic drugs and medical supplies. Since the mask is considered to be a medical supply, you might be able to return it. You’ll have to call and ask the pharmacy.