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Medical Discounts: Your Right to Save on Medicines! How Much Can You Get and How to Reduce Costs?
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News18•22-09-2026, 16:23
Medical Discounts: Your Right to Save on Medicines! How Much Can You Get and How to Reduce Costs?
- •MRP means 'Maximum Retail Price', so shops cannot charge more, but selling below it is legally permissible.
- •Medical stores often offer 10% to 15% discounts to regular customers or on large bills.
- •Ask doctors to prescribe generic medicines or inquire at the medical store for generic alternatives to save more than half on costs.
- •Online apps like Tata 1mg, PharmEasy, Apollo Pharmacy, and Netmeds offer 15% to 25% discounts and cashback.
- •The central government's 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras' provide high-quality medicines at 50% to 90% cheaper rates than market brands.
Key Questions Answered
Yes, customers have the right to ask for a discount. While MRP stands for Maximum Retail Price meaning shopkeepers cannot charge more than that, there is no legal barrier preventing them from selling medicines below the printed price.
Most medical stores easily provide a 10% to 15% discount to regular customers or on large medicine bills, but they usually charge the full MRP if customers do not ask.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras offer high-quality medicines under government control that are 50% to 90% cheaper than expensive branded alternatives in the market, helping significantly lower monthly expenses for chronic conditions.
