NHSBSA Penalty Charge - Pharmacist/Dispenser signing FP10

Nornorfox

Hi

I'd be grateful for any advice here, please.

My son received a penalty charge through on the premise of having claimed an exemption which he doesn't qualify for.  He works full-time so certainly isn't exempt, however it was the first time he'd collected a prescription and he says that they just gave him the medication without asking about payment or asking him to sign anything.

This sounded a bit unlikely - I thought he was just being a bit daft - so we requested a copy of the FP10 from NHSBSA (attached).  Having had a look at it, I can sort of see his point and wonder whether anyone could clarify a couple of procedural points?

Firstly, the main sheet of the FP10 has "Exempt - F" typed at the top - this aligns exactly with the age and date below, and I wonder if that means this text was generated by the prescriber, i.e. GP?
Secondly, the reverse of the FP10 has been annotated by the dispenser, who has selected exemption F but has not crossed the "Evidence not seen" or "On behalf of the patient" boxes, and the form is undated.  Does this suggest that this section was completed as soon as the pharmacy received the prescription, given that it was headed "Exemption - F" on the other side, and this is why it wasn't presented to him for signing?

Sorry - it's a bit of a minefield and NHSBSA are incredibly unhelpful.  There's no doubting that he wasn't exempt at the time the medication was dispensed, but understanding what you are and aren't entitled to is a learned thing, it's not innate.  I fully appreciate him being asked to pay for the prescriptions retrospectively, but think it grossly unfair to apply a penalty charge under the circumstances.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

Slinky

I've only just qualified for free prescriptions, but can confirm that there have been many times across my life I was never asked if I had to pay. I've always paid what was due.

electriccactus

If the pharmacist/dispenser signed the form I'd be inclined to bring that up with the NHSBSA. That and the fact that your son never even got a glimpse of the FP10.

Either someone at the pharmacy made a mistake with this prescription or there is possibly a mistake with the file they have for him (incorrectly listing him as exempt due to a PPC perhaps)

I wouldn't bring up jim not understanding what he is or isn't entitled to. The categories on the back are pretty clear cut and besides, it makes it sound like he did sign it and it was a mistake.

Flugelhorn

The exempt-F won't have been added by the GP , they don't have any info on who pays what 

I can only think that was added at the pharmacy - in our dispensing practice we used to keep copies of all the PPCs - maybe there is someone with a similar name?

Anyway he didn't sign the form and I think you have to go back to NHSBSA and  say that - also point out that the pharmacy did not mark the "evidence not seen" box

PS agree re not knowing what you have to pay for - when my tribe returned from many year at Scottish Unis I had to remind them they would have to pay for prescriptions in England - they genuinely didn't know

cannugec5

Did he take the form to the pharmacy himself or was it delivered directly by the prescriber (as happens in our locality)? 

If he never handled the prescription form I think it unfair that he should be expected to know what is written on the back…

Flugelhorn

cannugec5 said:

Did he take the form to the pharmacy himself or was it delivered directly by the prescriber (as happens in our locality)? 

If he never handled the prescription form I think it unfair that he should be expected to know what is written on the back…

I agree - many of the forms are electronically transmitted and you never get to see the paper. 

think it would be worth discussing with the pharmacist as to their process for dealing with such forms

Nornorfox

Many thanks for your comments, all. 
No, he didn't take the FP10 himself, they're transferred electronically from the GP surgery.
It's a bit galling as NHSBSA are entirely focussed on whether or not he was exempt at the time, irrespective of the fact that the decision had already been made for him by the pharmacy and there was no engagement to discuss what was on the FP10.  Had there been, it would quickly have been clear that he was not exempt and he would have paid.

sheramber

I think your first approach should be to the pharmacy with copy of the form.

Ask who entered the exemption as your son never saw the prescription so could not have entered anything on the form.

The pharmacy should taking responsibility  if they completed it.

Flugelhorn

sheramber said:

I think your first approach should be to the pharmacy with copy of the form.

Ask who entered the exemption as your son never saw the prescription so could not have entered anything on the form.

The pharmacy should taking responsibility  if they completed it.

absolutely agree - at least you should be able to get a better understanding of the process - let us know how you get on and what they say 

swingaloo

It does seem odd that he didn't know he had to pay if his date of birth showing as 2001 is correct. He is 22/23 so presumable has had a  prescription in the last 5 years.

Flugelhorn

swingaloo said:

It does seem odd that he didn't know he had to pay if his date of birth showing as 2001 is correct. He is 22/23 so presumable has had a  prescription in the last 5 years.

OP says it was the first time he had collected one. Lots of young men never go near health services and he could quite possibly never have had a prescription.