Pharmacies Busted for Deceptive Discounts: CHOICE Survey Exposes the Truth

Pharmacies Accused of Deceptive Discounting: CHOICE Survey Reveals Widespread Issue Australian consumers are being misled by deceptive discounting practices at major pharmacy chains, according to a new survey by the consumer advocacy group CHOICE. The survey investigated pricing at Chemist Warehouse, Terry White Chemists, and Priceline Pharmacy, finding that a significant portion of customers were unaware of whether advertised discounts accurately reflected the actual price reductions. "Approximately one-third of customers we surveyed didn't know if the sales tags reflected a real discount," said a CHOICE spokesperson. This indicates a concerning lack of transparency in pricing, potentially leading to consumers overpaying for goods. The survey also revealed a pattern of recommended retail prices being inflated compared to the prices displayed on shelf stickers. This suggests that pharmacies may be using misleading tactics to create a false impression of significant discounts. One shopper commented, "I always assumed the discounts were genuine. It's frustrating to think I've been overcharged." CHOICE is calling for greater regulatory oversight of pharmacy pricing to protect consumers from such deceptive practices. The group recommends that customers carefully compare prices before purchasing items and be wary of inflated recommended retail prices. The findings of this survey underscore the importance of consumer vigilance and highlight the need for greater transparency in the retail sector.