Chemist Warehouse charges the standard Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment for subsidized medicines (around $7.30-$7.35 for general patients as of early 2024/2025) and often has very low or no margin on these scripts, sometimes acting as a loss leader, but they also charge for private/unsubsidized prescriptions, which can vary greatly (e.g., $5 to $25+) depending on the drug, quantity, and if it's generic or brand-name. Prices can be checked online or in-store, with potential discounts for PBS Safety Net holders.
Pharmacists can help to support the health of your family; they can provide advice and treatment for common minor illnesses for all ages. We offer FREE Prescriptions.
Prescription charges in England are £9.90 per item
For the most up-to-date information on prescription charges, visit the NHS website. The cost of prescriptions usually increases slightly every April. You may be eligible for free prescriptions depending on your age or circumstances.
Explore the range of services we offer at Chemist Warehouse – from Prescriptions and Vaccinations to Instant Consults and beyond, we're here to answer all your questions.
You can get free NHS prescriptions if:
At Chemist Warehouse in Australia, an absence from work certificate from a pharmacist generally costs around $20, though it's best to check with your local store as prices can vary slightly, with some sources mentioning prices closer to $25 or requiring an online consultation for specific services. These certificates cover short absences (usually 1-2 days) for personal illness or caring for someone, but always confirm with your employer if a pharmacist-issued note is sufficient.
Pharmacists are paid a fee as part of their remuneration system for dispensing which is higher per prescription up to 1700 items a month than it is thereafter.
A prescription written by a specialist or dentist can cost. The pharmacist may have charged you for an extra service, such as a faxed prescription or special packaging. There is no set pricing for partially funded or unfunded medicines.
Did you know that prices vary from pharmacy to pharmacy for the same medicine? And, these prices can change often. Also, similar to the gas stations, the larger, well-known pharmacy chains don't necessarily have the most competitive prices. Just like gas stations, pharmacies can set their own prices for medicines.
Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) If you know you'll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). A PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need.
Under the PBS, patient co-payments are the out-of-pocket costs that patients pay for PBS medicines: Concessional patients (for example, pensioners and low-income earners) pay $7.70 per prescription. General patients (those without a concession card) pay $25.00 per prescription.
Medications can make up a big chunk of your health care expenses, but these strategies can help you save money. It all begins with understanding your options.
Yes, Chemist Warehouse (CW) is widely known and generally considered cheaper than most other Australian pharmacies, especially for health, beauty, and over-the-counter (OTC) items, due to their high volume and aggressive pricing, even offering price matching if you find a lower price elsewhere. However, while they offer big savings on many products, some customers prefer traditional chemists for personalized service, and recent government policy changes affect prescription costs, though CW still excels at general savings.
The prescription charge in England is £9.90. A PPC costs: £32.05 for 3 months.
For a discount retailer like Chemist Warehouse, which doesn't surcharge its customers but must still factor transaction fees into its operations, having a competitive and efficient payment alternative is an attractive proposition.
Chemist Warehouse in Australia offers free prescriptions for medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) if you have a concession card and have reached the PBS Safety Net threshold (meaning you've filled enough prescriptions for the year). For regular PBS scripts (not concession), you pay the standard co-payment, but Chemist Warehouse has previously campaigned for some essential PBS medications to be completely free for everyone if government rules changed, though this hasn't fully materialized. They also offer free prescriptions for some health services in select locations.
It's easy – your medication is pre-packed and pre-claimed, saving you time. It's free – signing up doesn't cost you a cent. What are the benefits? We will tell you when you need to renew your prescription.
The number of scripts for concessional beneficiaries to reach the Safety Net threshold was reduced from 60 to 48 scripts on 1 January 2020.
Major boost to Government payments to pharmacies
For a standard script for a ready prepared item, such as atorvastatin, pharmacies will receive an extra $0.85, taking the fee to $12.99 per script. Taken across a year, the financial impact of the increase is significant.
The highest-paid pharmacist roles are typically leadership (Director/Pharmacist-in-Charge), specialized clinical (Transplant, Nuclear), or in the pharmaceutical industry (MSL, Pharmacometrician), with salaries potentially exceeding $170,000-$200,000+, especially in director roles, nuclear pharmacy, or senior industry positions, though high earnings can also come from PBM/Managed Care with bonuses.
Under 16. Aged 16-18 and in full time education. Aged 60 or over.
Yes, at participating Chemist Warehouse locations (and other pharmacies) in Australia, trained pharmacists can assess and provide antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women aged 18-65, without needing a doctor's prescription, through programs like Chemist Care Now, making it quicker to get treatment. They can supply medications like nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim if you meet specific criteria and have symptoms of a simple lower UTI, but will refer you to a doctor if it seems serious.
Treatment from a pharmacist
Most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.