An end to the surcharge when buying at a pharmacy after-hours or on the weekend

Pharmacists on call will soon be cheaper. There will be no extra charge when one goes to the pharmacy in the evening or on weekends.

Currently, a patient who stops by the pharmacy after work must sometimes pay an additional five euros. The same on the weekend.

Health Minister Maggie De Block (Open Vld) has decided to end this practice. Her proposition provides for permanent compensation for pharmacists on duty.

But beware: the measure applies only to emergencies. If the prescription is not an emergency, the patient will have to buy them during normal business hours.

“Think of people who have to go to the doctor urgently after work,” says Public Health Minister Maggie De Block. “They can then go to the pharmacy on call for their medication without having to pay extra. “