One PriceWatch reader who decided to give up cigarettes in the new year with the aid of nicotine patches has been in touch to highlight the substantial difference between Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) in branches of Boots in the Republic and the UK. Marie Murphy from Ballincollig bought 14 NiQuitin CQ 21 milligram patches in a Boots in Cork at a price of approximately €45.
She travelled to the UK days later where she spotted a seven-day supply of 21 milligram Boots own-brand nicotine patches on special offer for £4.80 (€7.08). Leaving aside the special discount, she says, the price for the Boots NRT rises to £6.40 (€9.40), meaning that a two-week supply of the chemist's own-brand product at the full price costs approximately €18.50 - more than half the cost of the same strength NiQuitin CQ patches which are available in the Republic.
"I looked in Boots here again and asked if they supplied their own-brand NRT products in the Republic," said Marie. The salesperson replied in the negative. "There's a more then 300 per cent difference between the price I paid here and the price I paid in the UK and I simply don't understand why Boots cannot offer the same range of products here as they do there, with the resulting savings to their customers."
When asked to explain the substantial difference between Boots own-brand NRT in the UK and similar branded products in the Republic, a spokeswoman says that in the Republic selling prices "are recommended by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, of which Boots is a member. Licensed medicines can be offered on promotion in the UK, but this is still illegal in the Republic of Ireland."
The spokeswoman points out that the NRT Murphy saw in the UK store was being sold to make way for new own-brand products, "therefore it had been reduced several times. The normal price in the UK is £15 for seven days."
When asked about the availability of Boots own-brand products in the Republic, the spokeswoman points out that the pharmacy does have a small selection of own-brand medicines on sale (11) and it is preparing applications for licences on a further selection of products.
John Devlin writes from Maceio in Brazil to tell readers that he has been travelling the world for more than two years and, as far as he can gather, Ireland remains the dearest place he has been. "In Dublin this Christmas I priced a three months' supply of Johnson & Johnson contact lenses and was quoted €75, plus a fitting charge of €19. Today in Brazil I brought the same J&J supply for €34 (no fitting charge) - and to add insult to injury the set I bought here are made in Limerick!"
