BU wonders why as consumers we respond to the rising cost of living by identifying rising food and fuel costs and the like but we are willing to ignore professional fees which have been galloping out of control in recent years. At the top of the list are legal and medical fees which seem to be fixed by arrangement.
Doctors and lawyers are worshipped by Barbadians. We make appointments to seek their sacred services and behold when we arrive we have the mandatory wait before we can get an audience.
For many years we have known that some of our doctors dispense drugs from their desk’s drawers. Many of the drugs are known to be samples distributed by the pharmaceutical agents to promote their respective drugs sales. Barbadians not to offend the goodly doctors meekly open purses/wallets to pay for drugs which should never, never be sold.
In some other countries, by other people this behaviour maybe deemed unethical, criminal even? In the prevailing depressed economic climate BU sources have advised of another practice which we find disturbing.
All parents of children have to ensure that their children are vaccinated. It is a requirement to gain admission to our schools. There are other vaccinations which parents may give their children to build their immune system. We are aware that BU family member ROK has challenged how our society meekly receives vaccinations.
We understand that the going rate to have a vaccination administered by a doctor ranges between $100-$120. Additionally, the consulting fee can range between $80 -$120.
We question why our doctors need to fix such high fees for this reason:
We understand doctors in Barbados currently purchase bulk supplies of vaccines at a rate which is less than $40.00 per vaccine. Let us not forget their consulting fee. How should BU describe this state of affair? Should we call it profiteering? Maybe we should call it criminal!
It is amazing to BU that the officials in the relevant government departments e.g. The Barbados Drug Service management would be aware of how our doctors price their services for administering vaccines to our children yet they elect to participate in the price gouging conspiracy. What will it take to expose the free for all practices by many doctors which is contributing to our cost of living.
We could easily have blogged about a few of our well known pharmacies that price gouge – cartel behaviour we call it.
Our advice to Barbadians is to suppress their foolish pride and go to the Polyclinics, they deliver vaccination for free!
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