Medicine Emergency charges?!

Atomised

Why? Is this even legal?

myrnahaz

They were probably just letting you know that - IF - you ever need an emergency script, then it will cost you. My local chemist charged me 90p for 3 tablets to help my DD over a long weekend when she'd forgotten to collect her prescription (she's epileptic). The Pharmacist said it was a private prescription which is why she charged 30p per tablet (we have free prescriptions in Wales).
I felt I was lucky that the pharmacist believed me (I had some proof that DD needed the medication) and that DD was able to get through a weekend without worrying about her health.

mr_rush

Why? Is this even legal?

What law do you think is being broken?

An emergency plumber call out costs more then a routine appointment.

moneysaving_pharmacist

The NHS does not fund emergency supplies of medication from community pharmacies (unless you live in Scotland) - therefore the patient pays. Whether the pharmacist makes a charge or not is down to the them. If you are a regular patient who is registered at the surgery next door and you need a few atenolol to get you over the weekend then I am unlikely to charge. But if you are in the area on holiday and need a seretide inhaler then you either need to get your credit card out or contact the out of hours service.

Medication is only free for the patient if you have an NHS prescription. If you don't have an NHS prescription then you pay. £5 is not an unreasonable charge considering the work that goes into making an emergency supply - the pharmacist has to speak to the patient, generate a label, dispense the medication and record the supply. This can easily take more than 5 minutes of pharmacist time, and I'm sure that my time is worth more than £60p/h to my employer.

moneysaving_pharmacist

Atomised wrote: »

That is why I was surprised , all my medicines are free of charge as my condition is on the exempt list and my chemist keeps my prescription.
The only times I have been given an emergency supply is when the chemist have messed up (one more "mistake" and I will probably complain)

It always puzzles me why people have such difficulty understanding simple concepts. Exemptions only apply when you have an NHS prescription - that green piece of paper that the doctor signs. The NHS reimburses the pharmacy the cost of the medication they have dispensed.

An emergency supply is made when a patient does not have a prescription. There is a specific piece of legislation allowing pharmacists to supply prescription only medicines in an emergency. There is no prescription and so the cost is recouped directly from the patient.

McKneff

Slightly off topic but my Hospital consultant upped my medication last week but didn't give me a new prescription! More time wasted as i'll have to make an appointment to see my GP or nurse soon.

So why didnt you ASK for a new prescription.
Why dont you ring up your doctors for a new prescription instead of going.
Your consultant will have written to your doctor regarding upping your medication!

You were lucky that you were warned in advance or next time you needed it you would have had to fork out the fiver or do without till the doctors opened.

McKneff

mmmm

Its always somebody elses fault isnt it

read the other posts and then take responsibility for yourself.

You came on here asking for help, you were given it and an explanation of the charge by someone who knows the reason
You do not seem able to understand it. Then get defensive because it is not what you want to hear

If its none of anybody elses business, why did you bother posting.