Title: Why Are German Pharmacies Ripping Us Off on Medicine Prices?

Hey everyone,

I recently bought Allegra allergy tablets from a pharmacy (Apotheke) in Berlin, and the price shocked me—it cost €12.20 for a pack. Out of curiosity, I checked online, and the exact same tablets (same brand, same size) were listed for just €4.98. That’s more than double the price difference!

This makes me wonder: • Why is there such a huge price gap between traditional pharmacies and online stores? • Are there no regulations in place to prevent pharmacies from selling over-the-counter medicines at such high prices? • If there are no regulations, why not? And how does this pricing system even work?

I understand that local pharmacies provide personalized advice, convenience, and immediate availability, but does that justify a 300% price difference? It feels like we’re being exploited for buying locally.

If anyone knows how the pricing for over-the-counter medications is determined in Germany or has insights into whether this practice is common, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Also, any tips for saving money on such medications while still supporting local businesses would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!