NHS Prescription Fine

prcollins

I have just received a PCN letter informing me that myself or a representative claimed a free NHS prescriptions for antibiotics in October 2024. They state the submitted claim said I was named on a valid prescription prepayment certificate which they haven’t been able to confirm.
My wife set up a prescription prepayment for me earlier last year as I was prescribed anti depressants. It was my understanding that my wife had renewed the certificate hence when I went into my usual pharmacy for the antibiotics I explained I had a prepayment set up. I didn’t realise my wife hadn’t renewed the prepayment and when the pharmacy checked they also didn’t inform the prepayment was no longer in place. 

Looking at the PCN it states the PCN cannot be challenged if the prepayment certificate had expired or if I was misadvised by a pharmacy. I also never received the 1st letter the NHS sent informing me of the non payment not that they say this makes any difference.
I now have a £50 which I refuse to pay as I never knowingly didn’t pay for the prescription. In addition, because of my depression I haven’t worked for 10 months so don’t have the funds to start paying for fines.
Any advice as how to tackle this matter would be much appreciated.
Thanks Paul

Toothsmith

For the sake of your mental health, I would just pay it and move on. 

"I didn't know" or "I thought I was" rarely works as a defence, as it's considered to be your responsibility to know. 

You're unlikely to appeal it successfully, and delaying might increase the fine. 

Going forwards, have a clear idea when your certificate is expiring, and always be sure you have a new one. Have the document somewhere where you can easily access it to check, and not a bad idea to always check it when you go for a prescription. If you don't get it in an electronic form you can have on your phone, then photograph it on your phone. 

Pollycat

prcollins said:

I have just received a PCN letter informing me that myself or a representative claimed a free NHS prescriptions for antibiotics in October 2024. They state the submitted claim said I was named on a valid prescription prepayment certificate which they haven’t been able to confirm.
My wife set up a prescription prepayment for me earlier last year as I was prescribed anti depressants. It was my understanding that my wife had renewed the certificate hence when I went into my usual pharmacy for the antibiotics I explained I had a prepayment set up. I didn’t realise my wife hadn’t renewed the prepayment and when the pharmacy checked they also didn’t inform the prepayment was no longer in place. 

Looking at the PCN it states the PCN cannot be challenged if the prepayment certificate had expired or if I was misadvised by a pharmacy. I also never received the 1st letter the NHS sent informing me of the non payment not that they say this makes any difference.
I now have a £50 which I refuse to pay as I never knowingly didn’t pay for the prescription. In addition, because of my depression I haven’t worked for 10 months so don’t have the funds to start paying for fines.
Any advice as how to tackle this matter would be much appreciated.
Thanks Paul

I think this is your answer.
Your pre-payment certificate had expired.

I'd do as the poster above says, pay it and move on.

Refusal to pay is likely to result in a higher fine.

prcollins

Thanks for your messages and advice . I will go into the pharmacy but ultimately will likely have to annoyingly pay. 

Pollycat

I'm not sure going into your pharmacy will work.

If you're going to challenge, it should be through the stated route.
Read about it here:
Respond to your letter | NHSBSA

Note this:

We will not usually accept a challenge if your exemption certificate had expired, or you feel that you were misadvised by your doctor or pharmacy staff.

Maybe - just maybe - because of the medication you're taking and your unemployment status, they may waive the charge.
But do it quickly as if you don't pay within 28 days, a surcharge may be added.

If you decide to pay, you can do it by DD and spread the cost.
This information is also in the link.

prcollins

Thank you