I'm reminded of the time I was in the EU, in an area where tourism isn't common. Due to a lack of planning on multiple levels, I had to stay an extra two weeks. I went to get a refill for a prescription I need.
The pharmacist was clearly unconformable with the discussion that needed to happen. They informed me there would be a charge for the medicine. After some back and forth because neither of us was fluent in the other's language, it turned out they were asking me to pay the cost of the drug, an amount of money less than my normal copay, and something like 5% of what my insurance claimed the drug normally cost.
The pharmacist was most confused why I was happy to pay. I don't think they believed me when I tried to explain how much it normally cost me.
The pharmacist told me that they were having a hard time confirming my insurance. After a ridiculously long delay, I asked how much the drug was to pay for out of pocket... It was $12. My copay was $10 anyway. So both the pharmacist and I wasted a lot of time and hassle trying to save me $2.
I think they don't want to make judgements about your ability to play.
It's one reason why there's prescription-strength ibuprofen. I can personally just go buy OTC ibuprofen and take the required dosage, but some people can't afford that, so they get the prescription strength where their out-of-pocket cost is $0.
can't afford it? in the UK ibuprofen and paracetamol are like, 20p for a pack of 16!
though I do miss the giant packs you get in the US, all pills come in small blister packs with purchase limits in all shops, to make overdosing more difficult
Had a similar situation in India. I'd fallen ill and my partner went off to find medication. Spoke with a doctor/pharmacist who gave her an assortment of packets of tablets, rehydrating sachets and so on.
The pharmacist was clearly unconformable with the discussion that needed to happen. They informed me there would be a charge for the medicine. After some back and forth because neither of us was fluent in the other's language, it turned out they were asking me to pay the cost of the drug, an amount of money less than my normal copay, and something like 5% of what my insurance claimed the drug normally cost.
The pharmacist was most confused why I was happy to pay. I don't think they believed me when I tried to explain how much it normally cost me.