What is the dispensing fee? And why do I have to pay it?
By Chris Tse
To any of our keen-eyed listeners and readers, you may have inspected your receipt from the pharmacy and noticed a consistent charge on each of your prescriptions. If you’re from Ontario, this charge often ranges from $11-13. This fee is called a dispensing fee, and understanding this fee will allow you to get the most value from your pharmacy.
What is the dispensing fee?
In a nutshell, the dispensing fee represents the value of your pharmacist’s medical advice and this fee covers the operating cost of the pharmacy. These costs may include staff wages, building rent and maintenance, and dispensing supplies such as computers, software, and medication vials.
The dispensing fee is also known as the “usual and customary dispensing fee” and has to be publicly displayed in the pharmacy by law. Next time you go into your pharmacy, you can find the dispensing fee printed on a large yellow poster.
“The dispensing fee represents the value of your pharmacist’s medical advice.”
Why does my pharmacy charge $xx.xx for each prescription?
Similar to how you may pay a psychologist a consulting fee, or even how you pay your barber for a haircut, the dispensing fee is a payment given to the pharmacy in exchange for a service. Apart from the neatly wrapped prescription, the pharmacist also offers personalized counselling for every single prescription given to a patient. During counselling, the pharmacist may educate you on how to take your medications for the best effect, and how to manage common side effects to the medication.
More subtly, the pharmacist also has to ensure that the medication is (1) effective to treat your disease or symptoms and (2) safe for you to take. While the pharmacist is checking your prescription, they will make sure any new medication is compatible with your health conditions and current medications.
So now you know what a dispensing fee is…
How can you get the most value and care out of your pharmacy?
Ask your pharmacist about your medications
This one might seem obvious, but your pharmacist knows your medications best. If you are experiencing any new symptoms after taking a medication, your pharmacist can help you manage those symptoms, or even find a better alternative medicine for you!
During counselling, you might have additional questions that the pharmacist did not cover. It’s best to ask the pharmacist right away, or you can even call the pharmacy if you think of a question when you get home.
Don’t limit yourself to asking about prescription medications
Although we spend the majority of our time behind the counter, pharmacists are also experts in over the counter medications. Your headache, cough, or upset stomach might not require a visit to the doctor’s office if you ask your pharmacist first!
Inform the pharmacist about your health conditions
Unfortunately in Ontario, there is no centralized database for patient information. Your pharmacist will appreciate any information about your health so they can provide the best, most personalized care.
Check out episode 1 and 5 of our first season if you want to understand more about the fee charged by pharmaciesIf you have any questions about this article, or Off the Script in general, please send us a message!