A visit to Medplus Pharmacy at Circle Mall, Jakande Roundabout, Lekki Phase2, Lagos, on Sunday, December 22, 2024, has left this reporter questioning the transparency of billing practices after an additional charge of N550 was added to a product that was advertised at N2,000.
Arriving at the pharmacy at 5:20 PM, I purchased a pain-relieving patch, Salonpas, a product known for alleviating aches, pains, and inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis, stiff shoulders, backaches, and muscle pain. While the price of the product was listed as N2,000 on the POS terminal, the receipt issued by the attendant, Ilozulike Chidinma, showed a total charge of N2,550.
When I queried Chidinma about the additional N550 charge, she merely pointed to the total amount displayed on the receipt without offering a clear explanation. The receipt indicated two separate charges: “INTERSWITCH STANDALONE” at N2,000 and “CASH-CIRCLE” at N550. This discrepancy raised concerns about the legitimacy of the additional charge.
“Why am I being charged N550 for ‘CASH-CIRCLE’? Is this a hidden fee or payment for another product I didn’t purchase?” I asked the attendant. However, my questions went unanswered.
To reinforce my complaint, I took pictures of both the product and the receipt, clearly showing the unexplained additional charge.
The receipt reads as follows:
Medplus Pharmacy, Circle Mall, Jakande Roundabout
Mobile Nos: 08070718847
Customer care email: customercare@medplusng.com
Invoice Number: 9911/16334
Attended by: Ilozulike Chidinma
Time: 5:22:19 PM
Item: Hisamitsu Salonpas
Price: N2,550
Interswitch Standalone: N2,000
Cash-Circle: N550
The receipt also contained a disclaimer stating: “Goods once purchased cannot be returned or exchanged,” leaving little room for further resolution.
Attempts to contact the customer care unit of Medplus Pharmacy for clarification on the additional charge have so far been unsuccessful.
This incident raises important questions about consumer rights and billing practices in Nigeria. Is this an isolated case, or are customers routinely subjected to unexplained charges under similar circumstances?
“I believe customers deserve transparency when making purchases. Hidden charges or unexplained fees not only undermine trust but also create a negative perception of the business,” I said while recounting the experience.
As of press time, no official statement has been received from Medplus Pharmacy regarding the incident. Customers are urged to closely scrutinize their receipts and report any discrepancies to appropriate consumer protection agencies to ensure fair treatment in commercial transactions.
This situation underscores the need for stricter regulatory oversight to protect consumers from potential exploitation in retail and pharmacy outlets.
