Final answer:
A dispensing fee is charged by pharmacies to cover various costs associated with filling a prescription, including the pharmacist's services and the maintenance of the dispensing facility.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dispensing fee is used to help the pharmacy cover personnel costs and other costs that the pharmacy may incur during the filling of a prescription. This fee is in addition to the cost of the medication itself and is charged each time a prescription is filled. It is a fixed fee that includes the cost of the pharmacist's time to check for drug interactions, ensuring that the prescription is appropriate for the patient, as well as the expenses associated with the physical space required for dispensing medications and maintaining the facility.
For example, the introduction of Medicare prescription benefits has had a significant impact on public health, offering coverage where individuals pay an annual premium and deductible, with the federal government paying 75 percent of their prescription drug costs up to a certain limit.