In Sweden, there are approximately 1,400 pharmacies. Among the largest pharmacy chains in Sweden are Kronans Apotek, Apoteket, Apoteket Hjärtat and Apoteket Doz.
All pharmacies offer medicines, self-care products, vitamins and much more.
DON’T MISS: The popular drug has skyrocketed in price – in just one year
Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT Many medicines run out at Apoteket
At many pharmacies in Sweden, there is a shortage of prescription drugs, which in some cases can lead to interrupted treatment.
More than four out of ten Swedes who have picked up prescription medicines in the last 12 months are said to have been aware that the prescription had run out when it was to be picked up, which appears in a survey by Apoteket Hjärtat.
What this is due to has partly to do with increased demand for certain medicines, but also strict regulations at the pharmacies, something News24 previously reported on.
READ MORE: Medicines run out for 4 out of 10: “Very worrying”
Photo: Martina Holmberg / TTP The prices at Apoteket vary
But in pharmacies, unlike prescription drugs, there is no shortage of other goods.
As you know, they are available to buy both in pharmacies’ online stores and physical stores.
However, the prices of the products may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. And recently a discovery was made that shows that the same product can even have different prices – in the same store.
Photo: Magnus Lejhall/TT
DON’T MISS: Selling clothes online? Here are the traps to watch out for
The unknown trick gives you cheaper goods at Apoteket
It is SVT News Småland who reported that pharmacies have introduced a hybrid solution for the prices of their products. The same product – from the same shelf – can now have completely different prices.
More specifically, an item is cheaper if you first pre-order it online, have the staff assemble the items for you, and then pick it up within two hours.
The product is more expensive if you go directly to the store and buy it. The differences in price of the products that SVT included in its review vary from a few kroner up to 20 kroner or more.
The reason, according to the pharmacies, is that competition with online pharmacies has pushed prices down and that it is therefore natural that they are lower online than in the store.
– With the fierce competition, we think that the service with express delivery within two hours is a good extra service, even though it is of course not the best business for us. But it is a way to compete with the pure e-commerce players, says Annika Svedbergchief pharmacist at Apoteket Hjärtat, to SVT.
DON’T MISS: Veterinary prices are increased – Evidensia’s manager takes out 3 million in salary
“Use it to your advantage”
Johan WallerCEO of the pharmacy association, urges customers to take advantage of the chance to get cheaper products at the pharmacy.
– Be aware that this is how the market works and use it to your advantage as a consumer, he says to SVT Nyheter Småland.
READ MORE: Unknown super trick at Ica gives you cheaper goods