Chemist Prices

Hello,

Can someone explain to me how do chemist charges for prescription?
To make a long story short, I went last month to a chemist to get my 3 month prescription, they only had one month in stock and they charged me 7.83 for it, I went today to get the rest and she was charging me 7.83 therefore I asked her if she had only one month in stock which she replied no, she had more stock. I asked her therefore to give me the full prescription as it will save me another trip to the chemist next month.She done it and she charged me EUR 11.57 which means EUR 4.09 cheaper for two months than for one month. I ask her to explain it to me but she couldn't and i couldn't wait around for the owner as my two month old baby was due his bottle.
I am a little be mad to have been charged more the first time due to their lack of stock and why the price given changed if you get it for two months I now wonder if the 3 months prescription is even cheaper.
Thanks

Perhaps there's a fixed prescription fulfillment charge (of €4.09 in this case?)? As far as I know pharmacists charge this in addition to the cost of the medication. I don't think that they itemise this separately but maybe they should be obliged to for transparency?

Another thing to do is to ask about generic drugs. usually as good and much cheaper! It can be tempting for a pharmacist to issue the branded stuff as it cost more.

"Dispensing charges" is the term that I was trying to think of!

This thread might also be of relevance here.

Recently I've been told by the chemist that she can't fill a prescription for three months because of the drugs payment scheme. Basically one month brings me up to the limit of 85 euro so, if I order 3 months, the chemist has to supply them at no extra cost to me. They have been told to do this by the department. The problem is that the drugs come in a pre packed 28 day supply so I sometimes actually need the next pack. Anyway the price of prescription drugs in this country is scandalous!

I believe you can get many popular prescription drugs for a fraction of the price in the Canaries - if you know someone going or if you go yourself