Ontario pharmacy dispensing fees
A dispensing fee is what the pharmacy charges to prepare and give you a prescription. It is separate from the medication price and is charged on every pickup. If you take several medications at a chain with higher fees, the cost adds up quickly.
Typical fees by pharmacy (Ontario)
These numbers come from public fee surveys (Costco, Lumino, Cansumer). Your pharmacy may charge a different amount. This is not live pricing.
| Pharmacy | Typical fee per pickup |
|---|---|
| Costco | $4.49 |
| Walmart | $9.97 |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | $12.05 |
| Rexall | $12.74 |
| Independent pharmacy | $11.10 |
If you choose "Don't know" in the calculator, we use about $11.50 per pickup as a starting guess.
Why fees matter with multiple medications
Each prescription has its own dispensing fee every time you pick it up. Two medications picked up monthly at Shoppers (about $12.05 per pickup each) compared with Costco (about $4.49 per pickup each) can mean roughly $181 per year in fee difference alone, before any generic or program savings.
Our calculator adds fees across your whole medication list. Many single-drug price tools skip that step.
90-day prescriptions
If you are on Ontario Drug Benefit (usually age 65 and older), ask your doctor whether a 90-day supply is right for you. Fewer pickups usually mean fewer dispensing fees over the year.
See your fee overspend
Example: Lipitor and Synthroid at Shoppers, no insurance. Run the calculator with this scenario already filled in.
Fees vary by location. This tool estimates overspend from typical fee tables. Call your pharmacy and ask what they charge before you switch.