Nelson pharmacy charges rise

Some Nelson pharmacies have introduced new charges for dispensing medicines after hours, and say more patient charges are likely when their contracts expire at the end of this month.

They say the moves are necessary to recoup the thousands of dollars in lost revenue crippling their businesses since the introduction of all-at-once dispensing last October.

The Pharmacy Guild says it is unaware of pharmacies outside Nelson making similar moves, and the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board says the proposed charges would breach Government policy.