REVEALED: We surveyed the price of nine medicines across the nation – including weight loss and depression drugs – and what pharmacy you use could mean a huge difference in price

An Irish survey found that patients can pay substantially different prices for the same medicines depending on the pharmacy, with some community pharmacies charging up to two or three times as much as others. The findings come as the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission studies pricing and competition in the retail pharmacy sector, and as public spending on medicines exceeds its budget.

The survey compared nine medicines at pharmacies in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway and Wicklow. Chemist Warehouse was cheaper across the sample: the average combined price at five community pharmacies was €383.41, almost €120 more than at the discount chain. A four-dose 2.5mg Mounjaro pen cost €219.99 at Chemist Warehouse and €325 at one Wicklow pharmacy, while 50mg sumatriptan ranged from €13.75 in Galway to €25 in Cork. Patients’ representatives called for itemised receipts and clearer pricing; the Irish Pharmacy Union said independent pharmacies set their own prices according to their operating costs.