Guidance to Support Transparency of Medicines Pricing and Fees for Pharmacy Services

The PSI, as the pharmacy regulator, operates to assure the safety and quality of pharmacy services, as well as the profession of pharmacy, in the public interest. 

While we do not determine the prices charged by pharmacies, we do expect that pharmacies are transparent about the costs to patients and fees associated with the dispensing of medicines and pharmacy services and that they meet the responsibilities outlined in this guidance.

This guidance evolves existing expectations, in line with the Code of Conduct, about the responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacy owners to provide clear, accurate, and accessible pricing information to patients and the public when charging for medicines, medical devices or fees for pharmacy services. 

It contains one primary principle, which is that patients have a right to transparent and accurate information on the price of medicines and health services they access in pharmacies. Transparency of fees and pricing maintains and enhances public confidence in pharmacists and enables patients to make informed decisions about their health and treatment. 

Phased implementation of this guidance

The guidance contains two minimum requirements to meet the principle outlined above. Pharmacies must meet these requirements, with the following dates being applicable for implementation: 

• From 1 December 2025, all pharmacies must display information on a clear notice in a conspicuous place in the pharmacy about the cost of all professional services (such as vaccinations, blood pressure monitoring etc.) and about the range of fees that may be charged for dispensing medicines.*
• From January 2026, pharmacies must provide a detailed receipt for each transaction. Receipts should itemise the cost of the product (to the patient) and any dispensing or professional service fee applied. The PSI will work with relevant stakeholders to ensure this is enabled.  

*Please note that this does not require a cost list of all medicines to be displayed.

Implementation and monitoring

From the 1 December, the PSI will commence monitoring the implementation of the pricing transparency guidance. The PSI recognises the need to collaborate with the pharmacy sector to support, refine, and establish best practices for pricing transparency in pharmacies to support access to information for patients and the public. 

Additional information

The guidance was developed and reviewed following input from a range of stakeholders and feedback received during a public consultation. The public consultation report was considered by the PSI Council and is available on our website.

We have also updated related information in the FAQs for the public and patients.