adminPresenting a paper on “Trends in the pharmacy” at the just-ended Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe (PSZ) annual congress in Victoria Falls, Mr Moses Shenje, a pharmacist, said the single pricing system existed in the sector about five years ago.
“We need to revert to the single pricing system for patients to easily access medicines. Five to six years ago, we had the system on our doorstep and I believe we can come back because if we don’t, we will be digging our own graves,” he said.
He said a survey he conducted for PSZ on trends in the pharmacy showed that there were a lot of price disparities which were affecting sales.
“I did a survey in different pharmacies especially in Harare and noted that the same medicine was being sold at different prices. Some were really selling at exorbitant prices while others had normal prices.”
“Malaria tests were between three dollars and $13, blood glucose tests were between one dollar and five dollars. With these disparities it is high time we go back to a single pricing system. It is not fair for the patients. Imagine going to TM supermarket and buying a loaf of bread at one dollar and going to OK supermarket and buying the same bread for two dollars. We need to stop such practices, we need uniformity,” he said.
Mr Shenje said he also noted that some pharmacies were not accepting medical aid cards, prejudicing the card holders.
“We have about 30 medical aids societies in the country with a combined membership of two million and that is a huge market for pharmacists. Some accept the cards especially the bigger pharmacies while smaller ones are refusing and are asking for cash up front.
“There is need for engagement so that card holders access medicines,” he said.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter