Large price variations and a lack of transparency from pharmacies on drug costs are reported in a study by Trinity College Dublin and the RCSI University of Health Sciences.
It found that the most expensive pharmacies can charge over double the price of the least expensive pharmacies.
As an example, the researchers found that a typical prescription of a commonly prescribed steroid, Prednisolone, costs over €5 higher in the most expensive pharmacies.
The study was published earlier this month in the journal Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
Commenting on the findings, James Larkin, PhD Scholar, Department of General Practice RCSI and lead author, said they mean some people are paying too much for their medication, or some people are not buying their medication because it costs too much.
He said this was particularly concerning give the current cost of living crisis.
The mean quoted cost for each of the 12 drugs investigated was higher than the HSE reimbursement price for medical card patients, who can access subsidised medicines.
For Famciclovir, an antiviral drug, the average price quoted was €46 which was €8.95 higher than the HSE reimbursement price of €37.31.
For nine of the 12 drugs, the price was significantly higher for chain pharmacies, compared to independent pharmacies.
The research team said that respite regulatory guidance stating that pharmacies should provide medicine prices to patients, no pharmacies involved in the survey had prices displayed on their websites and 12% of pharmacies who answered a call did not provide a price.
James O'Mahony, Research Assistant Professor in Cost Effective Analysis, Centre for Health Policy Management, School of Medicine and senior author, said that awareness matters as patients can save money by shopping around.
He said that if the State were to regulate prices, or if there was more transparency on prices, it might lead to lower prices and more people taking their medicines.
Under the survey, 1,529 pharmacies responded to queries, most by telephone and 167 by email.
The survey calls and emails were conducted in July and August last year.
The Irish Pharmacy Union said that pharmacies supply a very large number of medications to their patients, numbering many thousands.
It added that this presents a unique challenge to pharmacies in relation to providing pricing information.
It said it is not possible to display the price of every medication in every dosage and quantity to sale.
The society said pharmacies are committed to transparency and advise patients of the price of any medication upon request in advance of dispensing it, consistent with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland's Code of Conduct.
