Selling price of drugs depends on various factors

SINGAPORE - We thank Mr Stanislaus Marie Ee for his feedback ("Same jabs, different costs"; last Thursday).

The amount paid by Mr Ee's wife was for only the flu vaccine, which does not include the administering of the injection.

The fee that Mr Ee paid at Sengkang Polyclinic was the total charge for a flu vaccination.

The selling price of drugs depends on various factors, such as contractual price and the different cost structure of individual institutions.

Hence, the selling price for the same item may vary slightly between institutions.

The pneumococcal vaccine available at both Singapore General Hospital and the polyclinic offers immunity of three to five years, depending on the patient's age and risk profile.

We are sorry for the miscommunication during consultation.

Lee Soo Boon (Ms)

Assistant Director, Department of Pharmacy

Singapore General Hospital

How Choon How (Dr)

Clinic Director

SingHealth Polyclinics - Sengkang

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