CHEMISTS’ PRICES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 4

CHEMISTS’ PRICES

TO THE EDITOR OT THE PRESS. Sir,—l am voicing the opinion of a fair section of the public when I say that the price of medicines falls heavily upon the parents of larger families. One visits the chemist in times of sickness, when one’s resources are impoverished, and has to pay 5s or more for a small bottle of medicine. When the question is asked; “Why so dear?” the chemist replies that there are expensive drugs in it. On course the customer cannot understand the writing on the prescription, neither does he know the prices of its ingredients. It may be that the last Government was at fault in levying an excessive duty on *such drugs and that our chemists get the blame for high prices, for I believe them conscientious men. For those sick, I know the doctor is sympathetic and lets the patient down lightly in case of need. However, in the case of the chemist, there is little easement. Perhaps some member of our present Government will go into this matter and see where the responsibility for the high prices lies, or justify the present prices. Probably, for those who cannot pay the chemists’ high prices, there might be opened at the public hospital* a dispensary where all medicines could be obtained. Yours, July 3. 1936,