Pre-pay prescription cert penalty charge. How to challenge

Martin_the_Unjust

baser999 said:

Is it possible for someone to obtain a prescription in another’s name? Could someone have phoned the GP on the pretext of being OP? Bit far-fetched perhaps but when you look at how sophisticated scammers can be . . . .

I suspect it’s more likely to be a simple input error by a clerk into a computer rather than deliberate fraud.

sheramber

baser999 said:

Is it possible for someone to obtain a prescription in another’s name? Could someone have phoned the GP on the pretext of being OP? Bit far-fetched perhaps but when you look at how sophisticated scammers can be . . . .

The OP has confirmed with the GP that no prescription has been issued.

DullGreyGuy

sheramber said:

baser999 said:

Is it possible for someone to obtain a prescription in another’s name? Could someone have phoned the GP on the pretext of being OP? Bit far-fetched perhaps but when you look at how sophisticated scammers can be . . . .

The OP has confirmed with the GP that no prescription has been issued.

But its not just GPs that give prescriptions

Spoonie_Turtle

DullGreyGuy said:

sheramber said:

baser999 said:

Is it possible for someone to obtain a prescription in another’s name? Could someone have phoned the GP on the pretext of being OP? Bit far-fetched perhaps but when you look at how sophisticated scammers can be . . . .

The OP has confirmed with the GP that no prescription has been issued.

But its not just GPs that give prescriptions

Yes but it rules out someone else obtaining a prescription from the GP in their name.  I would think dentists would have to see someone in person before prescribing anything?

calleyw

its a mistake they did this to my ex who I am carer for.  he has exemption card and it was still in date by a year.  He got a letter telling him that he had been fined for not having a valid exemption card.  For someone with acquired brain injury you can imagine the distress that caused him.  It was easily sorted with a phone call. 

Bigwheels1111

Had this issue years ago, I had a 5 year exemption card due to being diabetic.
They sent a fine, I got a copy of said prescription.
It was for metformin a diabetes medication, which is free as such. ( exemption card available to all diabetics )
I pointed out the medication type and it’s use.
I then informed them that I can’t wait to see them in court.
Looking forward to a nice day out.
A few days before the court case they wrote back apparently an error on their end and don’t worry the case has been dropped.

peteuk

Mistakes happen, if your 100% sure it wasn’t you then why worry.

My OH has a pre payment card, we find it cheaper that way.  Not all pharmacists look at it, not all pharmacists allow her to tick the pre payment box.  So when she got a letter informing her of the fine, we declared it was covered by the prepayment card.  Turns out pharmacy had ticked the wrong box. Sorted within a week.

@Bigwheels1111 metformin isn’t free, however as you know the diagnosis of diabetes allows you to claim an exemption card.  At which point all medication is free, as the exemption card doesnt stipulate a medication type.  For me (also T2D) I found the information regarding exemption misleading.  But surely just by proving you had an exemption card was proof enough, the drug type, use would be irrelevant if the dates are covered by your exemption. 

TheGardener

peteuk said:

Mistakes happen, if your 100% sure it wasn’t you then why worry....

Not worried as such but just because someone made a mistake - there is no guarantee of the penalty being cancelled - as this person discovered...
NHS has fined me for claiming free prescriptions because of its own mistake | Consumer affairs | The Guardian

Although the circumstances are different - it does show how inflexible NHS BSA can be. The website only offered me 2 options - pay up or prove you had a valid exemption/prepay cert. Any option to dispute the whole basis of the charge isn't readily available. 

born_again

DullGreyGuy said:

sheramber said:

baser999 said:

Is it possible for someone to obtain a prescription in another’s name? Could someone have phoned the GP on the pretext of being OP? Bit far-fetched perhaps but when you look at how sophisticated scammers can be . . . .

The OP has confirmed with the GP that no prescription has been issued.

But its not just GPs that give prescriptions

But you would take it that they checked the system that will show all prescriptions that had approved by a member of staff?

born_again

Bigwheels1111 said:

Had this issue years ago, I had a 5 year exemption card due to being diabetic.
They sent a fine, I got a copy of said prescription.
It was for metformin a diabetes medication, which is free as such. ( exemption card available to all diabetics )
I pointed out the medication type and it’s use.
I then informed them that I can’t wait to see them in court.
Looking forward to a nice day out.
A few days before the court case they wrote back apparently an error on their end and don’t worry the case has been dropped.

Mrs has been a diabetic for well over 10 years & has never had a exception card. We just tick box & everything is free.