The magazine Protégez-Vous compared the prices of 25 everyday items on sale in pharmacies for three weeks and was able to note a difference of 28% between the cheapest and the most expensive brand.
After analyzing 1,200 prices, ranging from soap, deodorant and acetaminophen, Walmart won the prize for the cheapest pharmacy, whether for baskets of major brands or of house brands.
“Price differences are extremely significant from one pharmacy brand to another, including for products that are exactly identical,” explained Florence Dujoux, journalist at Verdict Santé (Protégez-Vous).
According to the conclusions of the survey, a basket of recognized brands is worth $245 at Walmart, while its price reaches $338 at Pharmaprix, which is considered the most expensive brand. This is a difference of 28%.
“It comes from the strategies of the different pharmacy chains: supply strategy, pricing policy and then when house brands come, a certain offer which is broader than others which helps them to be more competitive,” explained Ms. Dujoux.
Costco would also save money, although you still have to take into consideration the cost of the membership card.
In the end, the brand would be 50% cheaper than Pharmaprix, after comparing prices during the last week of analysis only, since the products are offered in larger quantities.
Canada
