Prescription charge for same medication, different dosages?

AnieKitten

I have just come the pharmacy where I was told that because on my prescription there were 2 dosages of the same medicine that I would have to pay for 2 prescription charges, is this right?
My doctor has prescribed a medication with a dosage of 150mg, however the pharmacy only has 100mg and 50mg in stock.
I tried to explain that I have been on this dosage for a while and only been charged once, but apparently the member of staff who did this was wrong. The pharmacist then said I if I only wanted to pay one charge I would have to go back and see my doctor to change the prescription to 50mg and treble the amount to make up the difference.

Anyway I'm struggling with mental health and ended up breaking down in the pharmacy and ended up in the consultation room in tears after a member of the public took me to one side and gave me a tissue. The pharmacist then said she would go and talk to the doctor.
After 15minutes the girl who served me on the till came into the consultation room and gave me my medication - one box of 100mg and one box of 50mg and said in this instance it would be one charge.

I'm just wondering what is correct and how much I should have paid. (I think I'll get my husband to pick up the next prescription!)

sheramber

AnieKitten wrote: »

I have just come the pharmacy where I was told that because on my prescription there were 2 dosages of the same medicine that I would have to pay for 2 prescription charges, is this right?
My doctor has prescribed a medication with a dosage of 150mg, however the pharmacy only has 100mg and 50mg in stock.
I tried to explain that I have been on this dosage for a while and only been charged once, but apparently the member of staff who did this was wrong. The pharmacist then said I if I only wanted to pay one charge I would have to go back and see my doctor to change the prescription to 50mg and treble the amount to make up the difference.

Anyway I'm struggling with mental health and ended up breaking down in the pharmacy and ended up in the consultation room in tears after a member of the public took me to one side and gave me a tissue. The pharmacist then said she would go and talk to the doctor.
After 15minutes the girl who served me on the till came into the consultation room and gave me my medication - one box of 100mg and one box of 50mg and said in this instance it would be one charge.

I'm just wondering what is correct and how much I should have paid. (I think I'll get my husband to pick up the next prescription!)

according to this only one charge should be paid

http://psnc.org.uk/dispensing-supply/receiving-a-prescription/patient-charges/

Scenarios where a single prescription charge applies
Scenario
Example of ONE charge (if written on same prescription
The same drug or preparation is requested to be supplied in multiple containers. Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops 10ml x 2

Different strengths of the same formulation of a drug.
Warfarin 1mg tablets x 28
Warfarin 3mg tablets x 28
Warfarin 5mg tablets x 28

AnieKitten

Thank you Sheramber.
I thought that was the case and tried explaining that it was one prescription but 2 tables needed to make the dosage, but the pharmacist was adamant that I was wrong.
She said 'I know it's not fair, but it's 2 boxes so 2 items'.

Guess I will have to find somewhere else to fulfil my prescription.

Proxima_Centauri

I had something similar happen to me. I get a certain medication prescribed, and the prescription is for 90ml of this lotion. I always get it in 3 bottles of 30 ml, but this one chemist I went to refused to do this, saying they'd lose money if they gave me 3 x 30ml.

I walked out, took my prescription and went to another chemist where they gave me the 3 x 30mls without any quibbles whatsoever.

I suggest you do the same