PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: THE RIP OFF I have bronchitis. The first time that I had bronchitis, a few years ago, I thought I had a bad bout of flu, and by the time I went to the doctor I had developed pneumonia. The doctor gave me the whole spiel about how dangerous this can be. ‘If left untended, bronchitis can develop into chronic bronchitis, then it becomes pneumonia, and if you are not careful it can become double pneumonia, and double pneumonia can kill you.’ She warned. Since then, I have had bronchitis at least three times.

 

By now, I know the symptoms of bronchitis well.
I do not need a doctor to diagnose bronchitis. I can diagnose it myself, and I know exactly what I need to treat it.

But, to treat the ailment I need an antibiotic that is only available on prescription, and only a doctor can prescribe it.

So, I have no choice but to trudge along to the doctor and inform her that I have bronchitis.
She would poke here and poke there, then listen to my respiratory organs with her stethoscope before announcing ‘You have bronchitis.’
Btw, you don’t need a stethoscope to hear my wheezing. It is loud and clear to the natural ear.

 

She would then give me the whole spiel – again – ‘If left untreated, bronchitis can develop blah blah blah.

Only then would she write out a prescription for exactly the same antibiotic that I knew all along I needed..

For this I have to pay a R300 consultation fee, and only then can I go to the pharmacy to pay another few hundred Rand for the medication.

I feel ripped off.

Kader Khan
Editor
info@yummie.co.za