During my last visit in March, I was given an 80ml bottle of Minoxi 5 from Trima Pharmaceutical and the price was $38.50. This time round, I was prescribed the same medicine, from ICM Pharma, but the price was $45.50 for a 60ml bottle.

When I called NSC to ask for an explanation, the customer service officer said the centre had changed supplier, hence the price increase. She was unable to provide a reason for the change of supplier, but stressed that NSC strived to keep costs low for consumers.

Going by volume, the price increase was a hefty 57.6 per cent, and this in less than five months.

Ler Liling (Ms)