Pharmacy: any one else with similar experience?

Fred8


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 18:02

This morning I had to go to the Chemist opposite the main Astro supermarket in Girne (Meta Adinar cad?). I ruglarly buy the medicine I reguired but was frst time I went into this chemist. The medicine in question, produced in the UK, costs between 2.99 to 3.99 Ytl. As this pharmiscist went to pick it up from the shelve I could see she crossed out the price so that it was not readable- at least she thought it was unreadable! She requested 10Ytl. I said to her that that I had been paying for this medicine for the last 8 months no more than 3.99 and ased why she had crossed out the price which could still be read to be 2.99. She responded that this was the wrong price and that was it. I felt that she did this because I was I foreigner.

Anybody with similar experience at this chemist or anywhere else?

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 18:15

Freda, we had similar experience about 5 years ago in the same chemist, vowed I would not go there again. I always use Aydin chemist at Alsancak. Hatice is a lovely girl and if you are regular she will drop down a little rather than over charge you. If she has not got what you want she will do her best to find it for you, or a very good turkish equivalent.

roisin


Joined: 19/03/2009
Posts: 358

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 18:15

I've only had them try to sell me English stuff at a high price,but when i asked for the Tuskish equivalent there was no problem. One did say that English/German brand medication was better than turkish which did worry me a bit.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 18:23

Oh this is serious I always heard good reports but like everybody else rip of the brits. No one minds paying but if the tablets are not good enough where does that leave you. Me personally I only have to take one brand and I actually buy south. No1 because I know they are the same and N0 2 they are cheaper. I have tried taking my perscription from my uk GP and told no these are same but different which didnt inspire confidence

Fred8


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 21:11

Just for the forum's info, and also because there is another thread running on a related issue, the medicine in question is diabetic medicine and made in Harrow, Middlesex but surprisingly - I do not know why- it is extremely cheap, cheaper in fact than UK if they were bought there. IN TRNC for 83 Tablets you pay only 2.99/3.99 ytl but of course the chenmist in question tried to rub this price off and charged 10ytk

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 21:19

RE msg 1, RE msg 5 > Ytl <



=> Ytl?! Unknown currency in TRNC. And: 10ytk?! Unknown currency in TRNC. Respect the country where you're a host - know at least the currency (TL since 2009-01-01).

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 21:24

Whistler

I agree, Hatice is a lovely woman and she and her staff will always discount if you do not have the right amount for your medication. She is also a member of what was the 112 setup (what it is called now I don't know) and her medical knowledge is second to none.

AJ

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 22:08

I haven't experienced any payment problems with the chemist opposite Astro but please look at the use by date before you leave this chemist. I left with some out of date statins for my husband, didn't realise until 2 days later and went back to the shop.



You can guess what happened ....... nothing!

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 22:13

AJ/Whistler - please could you enlighten me regarding the pharmacist you refer to in Alsancak? On the odd occasion we have had to go to a pharmacy over the years, we always use the rather old-fashioned looking one in the village. Is this the one you are referring to?



Always found them to be helpful, cheap and never had any experiences of 'rip off'.



Many thanks.



J

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 23:51

Most medicines in the TRNC come with a Government sticker stating the price. If a chemist is altering this price then the authorities should be informed as they are no doubt breaking some law or other. Like fuel prices being the same everywhere in the TRNC so are medicines regulated the same. Maybe a word to your local Turkish Cypriot may be able to point you in the correct direction to make a complaint.

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 01:52

The Wicks. Aydin pharmacy is on the main Lapta/Girne Road in Alsancak. Coming from Lapta end it is on the left after Starling in a parade of shops where the Indian Restaurant that failed used to be. You cant miss it there is a green flashing light on the main road in front of the shop.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 02:38

Thanks, Whistler. Not the one I was thinking of.



J

batgirl


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 676

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 07:41

Fred8



We have had the same with this chemist opposite Astro they overwrite the price and charge more

bridie


Joined: 18/09/2008
Posts: 308

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 07:58

Report to these numbers. It is the head office for all the chemists. Tel: 2284156 2280718 2237088.

jazzaktai


Joined: 14/04/2009
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 08:08

went in that chemist 2 years ago overcharged 32 ytl

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 08:29

The chemist in Catalkoy is the only one I use..always good prices..I went to one in Lapta once and got charged about 4 times the amount I pay in Catalkoy..needless to say I shall not be returning.

japeal



Joined: 12/09/2008
Posts: 1052

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 08:47

Every pharmacy has a list price that they must charge, ask to see it, it is a government approved selling price the Medicine Box in Girne showed me it on my first visit and explained that every pharmacy must stick to it. No idea who you report overcharging pharmacies to, maybe police station?

Fred8


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 21:34

I can say now with certainty that the chemists opposit Astro are CHEATS and LIARS. Avoid them like the plague. Prices checked out at two other chemist and as I had said cost 2.99 and one of the chemist phoned the supplier who informed him that there had been no price changes.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 22:39

japeal

Re: message 17, absolutely correct and any decent chemist will show you the 'book' and the relevant entry for your particular medication.

AJ

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
15/05/2009 22:44

For many years, I have always used the Baris Eczane in Lapta village.



They've always had any prescription medicine we've needed. They charge the exact price as is stated on the yellow label from the Chemists Association, and they've never tried to rip me off!

LoopyLoo


Joined: 05/04/2009
Posts: 67

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 12:19

Can anyone recommend a chemist in Girne itself? I went to the one near Molly's. Didn't think about overcharging at the time so just paid up what they asked.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 13:36

Good one round the corner from Mollies, when there are different sizes they tell you the prices and ask you to choose, did with me anyway and been in a few times.

happyhere


Joined: 11/05/2009
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 13:59

The chemist near Ezic chicken in Girne is ok. They don't overcharge.

kiwikid


Joined: 18/08/2008
Posts: 496

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 14:25

Two that I use in central Girne are the one on the round about next to the main carpark, the other is in front of CTA down by the harbour. never been ripped off at these and they both speck perfect English.

Mr MAC


Joined: 21/04/2008
Posts: 50

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 14:50

Any recommendations for chemists i.e Karakum/Catalkoy/ozankoy area. Went to the one opposite the Lemar and asked for paracemtamol, she tried to sell me panadol until I insisted on turkish equivalent which was much more reasonable.

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 14:51

I use the one by the side of Donaghy and Beyler in Catalkoy,she is very informative and even recomended a cream for my blisters that was missed by the doctors !!!!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
16/05/2009 14:55

Just a little tip for you all. Always give the generic name of the drug which is usually similar to the same word in Turkish. If you ask for a drug by the UK name that is what they will give you and it will be more expensive. For example Piriton which is a well known antihistamine it's generic or proper name is Chlorphenamine (spelling slightly different in Turkish.) Anyone wanting to know the generic names of their drugs so they can keep the cost down just get it touch with me and if I can help I will.