– Medipost Pharmacy

FAQs

Everything you need to know about your medication, deliveries, and support.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Can the medication be delivered to my home or work address?

Yes, the medicine can be delivered at your home or work address. Please be aware that a responsible representative must be available to accept and sign for the parcel, if you are not the receiver of the parcel. In remote outlying areas, a “to-door” delivery may take longer and an alternate collection point may be more efficient.

If I choose to receive my medication at the collection point, how will I know if my medication is ready for collection?

You will receive a short message service (SMS) with a tracking number for the parcel. You will be required to sign for the parcel at the collection point counter. Please remember that the person collecting the parcel needs to produce their identity document (ID) upon receipt of the parcel. If you do not have a cellular phone, a consultant will contact you, and advise you of the tracking number.

How will I know what items will be in my next dispatch and when I can expect delivery thereof?

Each parcel is accompanied by a “Delivery Note”. This communique states: the items that are on file for the next dispatch. the number of repeats still available for each item. the delivery address to which it is scheduled to be dispatched to. the date that the following parcel will be available for collection or delivery. the price of the claim submitted to the scheme.

What provision is made to maintain the cold chain for members receiving fridge line items?

How often do I need to supply Medipost Pharmacy with a repeatable prescription?

Medipost Pharmacy, just as any other pharmacy, needs a copy of your doctor’s original prescription before dispensing any medication. This is a legal requirement. A repeat prescription expires up to six months from the date written on the prescription. You will be reminded (in writing and telephonically) to furnish Medipost Pharmacy with a renewed doctor\’s prescription one month before your last repeat is dispatched, and monthly thereafter. Further medication will not be sent until a new prescription is received.

GENERIC MEDICATION ENQUIRIES

Is generic medication exactly the same as the original or what is generic substitution?

Because generic medicines are less expensive than brand name medicines, there is a general misconception that it is not as good as the original brand-name medicines. This misconception carries a cost as members who continue using brand-name medicines are spending far more on medicines than is necessary. Higher claims for medicines translate to higher contributions for members.

What are generic medicines?

Once a drug company has approval from the Medicine Control Council to sell their newly developed medicine, they have patent protection that effectively lasts between 5 and 15 years. During this time, no other company may manufacture this specific drug. Once the patent period has passed, any other drug company may make the medicine. They use exactly the same active ingredients but are not allowed to use the same commercial name as the original.

Why are generic medicines cheaper than brand name medicines?

The difference in price is due to research costs. Before a medicine is approved, the drug company that developed it would have spent large sums of money on research and development. Once for sale on the market, this drug company will try to recover these costs and try to make a good profit on their investment. Generic medicines are cheaper as the manufacturers don’t have the associated costs for the long and expensive process of research and development. Other drug companies can simply copy the ingredients once the patent period has expired.

How do I know that the generic medicine is safe?

When may generic substitution not take place?

With Generic Reference Pricing, all medicines containing the same active ingredient at the same strength and in the same dosage form are grouped into a Generic Class. The GRP for this class is then based on the average price of all generic equivalents in this class. Generic equivalents that cost the same or less as the GRP will be reimbursed at 100% of cost. Branded products and other equivalents that cost more than the GRP will be reimbursed to the price of the GRP. The member will be liable for the difference between the medicine and the GRP.

GENERIC REFERENCE PRICING (GRP)

With Generic Reference Pricing, all medicines containing the same active ingredient at the same strength and in the same dosage form are grouped into a Generic Class. The GRP for this class is then based on the average price of all generic equivalents in this class.

Generic equivalents that cost the same or less as the GRP will be reimbursed at 100% of cost.
Branded products and other equivalents that cost more than the GRP will be reimbursed to the price of the GRP. The member will be liable for the difference between the medicine and the GRP.

How to make the most of GRP?

Doctors and pharmacists are very familiar with the generic equivalents of brand-name medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if the medicine that is being prescribed/dispensed will be covered by the DBBS GRP. If not, request that he/she prescribes/dispenses medication that falls within the reference price limit. Pharmacists may change your prescribed medicine to one of the generic alternatives, substituting your medicine as allowed for in terms of the SA Pharmacy Act. In such a case, there is no need to have a new prescription issued by your doctor, as you are simply required to give your pharmacist permission to provide the generic equivalent medicine.d an alternate collection point may be more efficient.

Can I cancel my monthly delivery/repeat?

Why do I sometimes have a co-payment on certain items?

You will have a co-payment under the following circumstances: If an item is not on the scheme’s formulary If you prefer the original item and there is a generic replacement available. If your medical aid funds are depleted. The normal scheme rules and exceptions are applied to all prescriptions. Members have to follow the normal procedures with regards to registering their chronic medication. MMAP (Maximum Medical Aid Pricing) applies according to Scheme rules. Should your Medical Scheme for any reason reject payment of a claim, you as the member become responsible for any outstanding amounts. Should you run out of medication benefits before the end of the year you can continue to obtain your medication from us, as a private member.

Free nation-wide
delivery.

How can we
assist you
today?

Patient Information Form

Payment Methods

Careers at Medipost

Medipost Partners

FAQs

Track My Parcel

Online Pharmacy

Speak to a Pharmacist

South Africa’s Longest-Standing National Pharmacy

Overarching Statistics

Our Vision and Mission

Our Values

Social Impact

Latest News

Our Leadership Team

Partners

– Medipost Pharmacy

FAQs

GENERAL QUESTIONS

GENERIC MEDICATION ENQUIRIES

GENERIC REFERENCE PRICING (GRP)

Get in touch today

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

Contact Us

Free nation-widedelivery.

How can we assist you today?

Patient Information Form

Payment Methods

Careers at Medipost

Medipost Partners

FAQs

Track My Parcel

Online Pharmacy

Speak to a Pharmacist

South Africa’s Longest-Standing National Pharmacy

Overarching Statistics

Our Vision and Mission

Our Values

Social Impact

Latest News

Our Leadership Team

Partners

– Medipost Pharmacy

FAQs

GENERAL QUESTIONS

GENERIC MEDICATION ENQUIRIES

GENERIC REFERENCE PRICING (GRP)

Get in touch today

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

Contact Us

Free nation-wide
delivery.

How can we
assist you
today?