New drug pricing regulations have reduced the price of generic drugs in B.C. to 25 per cent of the brand name price, down from the previous 35 per cent, but not all drugs are covered by the new policy.

A viewer named John contacted CTV after he filled two prescriptions for generic drugs at London Drugs, but did not receive the reduced price.

Steele on Your Side contacted London Drugs, which confirmed the drug pricing regulation was in place, but there are exceptions. For example, only pills and capsules are covered by the new rules.  

In John’s case, one of his prescriptions was a lotion and was not included in the price reductions.

Companies can also apply to the government for an exemption to the lower prices, if it costs manufacturers substantially more to produce a certain type of drug.

The second prescription John purchased fell into that category – so he did not receive a discount for that medication either.  

The price for generic drugs will be reduced again on April 1, 2014 to 20 per cent of the brand name price, making B.C.’s generic drug prices among the lowest in Canada.