Core Insights - The phenomenon of "one drug, two prices" in pharmacies is drawing significant consumer attention, particularly regarding the price discrepancies between in-store purchases using health insurance cards and online prices [1][2] - Consumers are struggling to understand the rationale behind these price differences, especially when they are using funds from their health insurance accounts [1] - The issue is partly attributed to the longer settlement periods associated with health insurance payments, which may lead pharmacies to pass on costs to consumers [1] Group 1 - The media has reported on a consumer's experience of purchasing medication at a pharmacy with a health insurance card, only to find that the prices were significantly higher than those available online [1] - There is a growing concern that some pharmacies may be exploiting the "one drug, two prices" model as a means to siphon off health insurance funds, especially if other pharmacies follow suit [1] - The National Healthcare Security Administration has initiated measures to improve the efficiency of health insurance settlements with designated medical institutions, which may help address these pricing discrepancies [1] Group 2 - The ongoing issue of "one drug, two prices" cannot continue, and there is a call for stricter enforcement, improved settlement efficiency, and heightened public awareness [2] - Pharmacies that focus on exploiting consumers rather than providing competitive pricing may face the risk of being driven out of the market due to increasing competition from online sales and other pharmacies [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "dual pricing" in pharmacies, where the price of a medication differs significantly depending on whether a consumer pays with cash or through their medical insurance card, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in pricing practices [1][2][3] Group 1: Pricing Discrepancies - A specific case is highlighted where a medication priced at 18 yuan costs 26 yuan when paid for with a medical insurance card, representing a nearly 50% increase [1] - This pricing discrepancy is not isolated, as similar experiences have been reported by other consumers in different regions, indicating a potential widespread issue [1][3] Group 2: Cost Transfer and Justifications - One explanation for the price difference is the longer settlement period for medical insurance payments, which incurs a 2% to 3% fee that pharmacies may pass on to consumers [2] - However, this rationale is questioned, as the extent of the price increase cannot be solely attributed to these fees, suggesting that pharmacies may be exploiting the situation for additional profit [2] Group 3: Consumer Impact and Perception - Consumers express frustration over the higher costs associated with using their medical insurance cards, feeling that they are unfairly penalized despite the funds being their own [3] - The article warns that if such pricing practices are normalized, it could lead to broader skepticism about the medical insurance system and diminish consumer confidence in participating in insurance programs [3] Group 4: Regulatory Concerns - The article calls for regulatory scrutiny of these pricing practices, emphasizing that consumers should not be subjected to discriminatory pricing and that medical insurance funds should not be exploited [3]