NHS prescription accident - please help

cookies453

Hello everyone,

Earlier today my sister accidentally also collected my prescription from the pharmacy whilst collecting hers (we both live at the same address, our first names start with the same letter and we have the same surname).
She ticked the exempt box as she is currently unemployed, however, I am employed and not entitled to free prescriptions.

Since I got home and she handed me the prescription I have been researching online as to whether I can take it back - I haven't opened the packets - but this doesn't seem to be possible from what I've read online (please let me know if any of you have experienced otherwise).

I have been panicking at the thought of potentially receiving a penalty for this - the reason I didn't pick up the prescription in the first place is because of the cost (2 items) that I could substitute with cheaper store bought alternatives.

Looking at the NHS BSA website it mentions::
"No, the penalty charge is payable as you have claimed help with NHS charges incorrectly, even if it was claimed by mistake. This is a civil penalty; it is not a criminal matter and it does not imply that there was any fraudulent intent."

Has anyone been in a similar situation? I am getting really stressed about this and don't know what to do.

FBaby

It happened only yesterday, so contact them this morning, explain your situation and ask them for advice, although indeed, it might be that they tell you you have to pay. Doing so would still be cheaper than paying the fine and maybe your sister can help.

If she didn't ask for your prescription and it is the pharmacy error that they gave her yours and she didn't notice until she was home, then she (and you) need to put a complaint with the pharmacy.

Cyclamen

I'd call the pharmacy and explain what happened.

Why did they have the prescription if you hadn't intended to collect..is this an auto renew problem?

This sounds like their mistake (an innocent one) but they dispensed a prescription to the wrong person. So this needs to be 'flagged' on the system so they know to check full name not just initial.

They can't reuse returned meds even if unopened.. i had the wrong thing sent out by mistake and offered to return but they said they couldn't reuse but would dispose of safely.

It might be simpler to just pay for the prescriptions than worry about a fine as from reading on here they can appear quite a time afterwards. However if the pharmacy hasnt submitted the prescriptions/processed theme they might be able to alter the prescription..

dippy3103

Ring them- it's an honest mistake which is being put right at the first opportunity.

Guest101

Put it back onto the pharmacy - why are you giving out my prescriptions to another person?

Londonsu

Guest101 wrote: »

Put it back onto the pharmacy - why are you giving out my prescriptions to another person?

Breach of the DPA and patient confidentiality I would have thought

Guest101

Londonsu wrote: »

Breach of the DPA and patient confidentiality I would have thought

sure, however I fear - Breach of DPA and confidentiality will result in a protracted argument. (e.g. well your sister has collected your medication before or whatever.)


Providing prescription drugs to someone not prescribed those drugs - serious breach of practice.


That's the key difference I guess, this person wasn't collecting on OPs behalf, but collecting her own and given wrong drugs.

jessex1990

Can you sister not go back to the pharmacy and say 'these aren't mine'? No penalty then as they gave it to the wrong person who has since returned them

bajangal

You say your sister collected your prescription whilst collecting hers. The prescriptions would have had your full names, eg Beryl and Beatrice. This is what the pharmacy would have and should have, confirmed with her. Are you sure your sister didn't ask to take yours as well? I am reading that she would have been handed 2 separate bags and 2 prescriptions, so she would have known something wasn't right. However, Pharmacies send prescriptions off for payment at the end of the month so your prescription will still be there filed under Exempt. You can go back to them and explain what happened and pay the money. If (as obviously) no exemption card was shown, then (possibly) the pharmacist put an X on the back of the prescription to indicate that none was shown. If this is picked up by the Pricing Authority, then expect a letter with a fine. In short, take a trip to the pharmacy.