Article by Dana Van Zyl,  Focus on Health Director based on GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23 JANUARY 2019

The appropriate dispensing fee as contemplated in Section 22G of the Act to be charged by persons licensed in terms of Section 22C (1) (a) of the Act must be calculated, exclusive of VAT, as follows:

• Where the single exit price of a medicine or scheduled substance is less than one hundred and twenty-four rands (R124.00), the dispensing fee must not exceed 30% of the single exit price in respect of that medicine or scheduled substance;
• Where the single exit price of a medicine or scheduled substance is equal to or greater than one hundred and twenty-four rands (R124.00), the dispensing fee must not exceed thirty-seven rand and twenty cents (R37.20) in respect of that medicine or scheduled substance.

In April 2015 the 30% was calculated on a SEP of less than R108.00 and an SEP of equal or greater than R108.00 earned a R32.40 fee. In little more than three years, the dispensing fee thus increased with 14,81%.

Pharmacy dispensing fee

• Where the single exit price of a medicine or scheduled substance is less than one hundred and nine rand and fifty-six cents (R109.56), the dispensing fee shall not exceed R14.50 plus 46% of the single exit price in respect of that medicine or scheduled substance;
• Where the single exit price of a medicine or scheduled substance is greater than or equal to one hundred and nine rand and fifty-seven cents (R109.57) but less than two-hundred and ninety two rand and twenty-five cents (R292.25) the dispensing fee shall not exceed R27.75 plus 33% of the single exit price in respect of that medicine or scheduled substance.
• Where the single exit price of a medicine or scheduled substance is greater than or equal to two-hundred and ninety-two rand and twenty-six cents (R292.26), but less than one-thousand and twenty-two rand and ninety-four cents  (R1022.94) the dispensing fee shall not exceed R79.00 plus 15% of the single exit price in respect of that medicine or scheduled substance.
• Where the single exit price of a medicine or scheduled substance is greater than or equal to one thousand and twenty-four rand and ninety-five cents (R1022.94) the dispensing fee shall not exceed R182.00 plus 5% of the single exit price in respect of that medicine or scheduled substance.