In order to ensure that health-related key goods would be more accessible for the elderly, the pharmacy chain Camelia is announcing a special discount – all seniors shopping at Camelia pharmacies will be offered personal discounts reaching up to 30% from May 6.
According to Aušra Budrikienė, the CEO of UAB Nemuno Vaistinė, which manages the Camelia pharmacy chain, this decision was spurred on by the desire to ease the daily lives of the elderly.
“Elderly citizens are among the main visitors of our pharmacies and they deserve particular respect – we want to contribute as much as possible to ensuring wholesome daily lives for them. As such, from May 6, in all Camelia pharmacies, a new discount programme is being launched, which is aimed at specifically the elderly,” A. Budrikienė says.
Currently, the poverty line in Lithuania is at 345 euros per month and the newest data shows that an entire 41.7% of the elderly live in poverty. This number, compared to prior years’ statistics, has increased by 5%.
“It is clear that the elderly are among the most financially vulnerable groups in Lithuania and in old age, for many elderly citizens, medicines and other health-related goods become simply vital. We understand that for some of our seniors, the purchase of these goods can become a serious challenge, thus we hope that through lower prices, we will be able to contribute at least a little to resolve this problem,” A. Budrikienė says.
All-day discounts
She notes that the discounts will be available throughout the working hours of Camelia pharmacies every day, thus the elderly will be able to come at a time of convenience. According to the CEO of UAB Nemuno Vaistinė, the elderly will pay less regardless of how many goods they purchase – the discounts will apply from the very first product.
Seniors with a discount card purchasing at Camelia pharmacies will see discounts of up to 30% for the entire assortment: up to 15% discounts to prescription medicines and a 20% discount for non-prescription medicines. The elderly will be able to purchase cosmetics for 25% off and food supplements for 30% off, while the rest of the assortment will be 20% off.
A. Budrikienė adds that currently, it is essential to protect both yourself and others, thus despite the loosened quarantine conditions, it is advised to visit pharmacies and other locations as rarely as possible. “Nevertheless, if you have no other choice than to go to the pharmacy, carefully plan the visit and purchase medicines and other goods for as long as possible. The discounts will be in place for some time; thus all those interested will be able to make use of them,” she noted.
Furthermore, the elderly receive extra care at all Camelia pharmacies – they are served ahead of the line.
Advice for savings
A. Budrikienė explains that there are also other ways to save in the pharmacies. According to her, responsible planning of medicine purchases, careful planning and consulting specialists can contribute to savings, which is especially relevant for the elderly.
She shares a few main pieces of advice on how to save:
- Don’t forget to consult your pharmacists – trust the professionals and listen to their advice because appropriate coordination of medicines will not only help you get better faster but will also help save.
- Do not experiment because often, rather than helping, a spontaneous purchase of medicines will not only empty your wallet but will also worsen your physical wellbeing.
- It is not the price, but the active substances and their concentration that are decisive in the medicine’s effectiveness. The pharmacist is obliged to show all the medication, which holds the same active substance and must offer you the most affordable option.
- If you want the most affordable medicine, but the pharmacy does not have it at the moment, you can ask for the pharmacist to order the medicine for you.
