Discount ers: The issue is compounded for soft discounter pharmacies (GP% 30-34%), often with high overheads, leaving owners little option but to minimise wage costs. Owners often fund discounting by cutting wages when they should be adopting a service focus, allowing pharmacists to earn higher margins and maintain higher wages. 10 reasons for controlling wages costs Many traditional pharmacy owners stick with or close to the award for diff erent reasons: 1.