Clinic

I decided to go to Dischem for my quarterly family planning shot. As a regular at Dischem, I never think twice about going there for all my healthcare/beauty needs because the service is always immaculate and the wide range of product options makes life a whole lot easier. However this was not the case this time. On the 29th of December 2021, I met with one of the healthcare practitioners for my shot. Please take note that at the entrance of the consultation rooms are prices hung for the different consultations provided. The price for my family planning was stipulated at R80 as I was a returning patient. When asked the sister how much it is to clarify (there’s always some hidden costs I always end up paying) she told me that they rolled out a new pricing system that would cost me R350, I was rather shook how prices jumped from R80 all the way to R350. She advised me that this is for 6months, I told her that I don’t need that I just want one shot as asked. She later exclaimed that she can make a plan/arrangements for another option, she then made a few calls and quoted me R130. Again, shocked, I asked her why the price difference from what is advertised (misleading information) and she stated that prices have changed. A few seconds later she told me that they don’t have the particular family planning injection I use and I should proceed and check at Clicks, which should’ve been the first thing that she checked. In the same breath she told me that she still is going to charge me for the R130. I don’t understand how though coz I did not receive the product nor have the service done, in actual fact I stood in a line for almost an hour to be told that prices have changed and I need to still pay for something I did NOT even receive. I tried to get understand of why this is and she went on about how she’s not going to argue with me, and very condescendingly told me about how a prescription works (I’ve had my very fair share of medical knowledge and requirements to understand what schedules are and how a prescription works) I left and told her I’ll try another pharmacy that isn’t falsely advertising their prices and misleading their clients. It’s not even about the money, it’s the embarrassment of a healthcare provider who deemed it necessary to ridicule and embarrass me for being completely unaware of this information instead of allowing me to have a choice whether I want to pay for the ridiculous costs or not. When I signed the consent form I didn’t not consent to accepting false advertising and incompetence. I’m appalled because Dischem is my go-to for everything and this is the treatment I get?! Truly disappointing.