NHS penalty charge and pharmacy

Floralluggage

Hi, I'm very stressed about this so hope someone can help!

I received a batch of meds from the pharmacy last year. The prescription was electronically sent. The batch contained several HRT meds but also an inhaler. On collection, I showed the pharmacy assistant my HRT prepayment certificate which was on my phone. I asked if I need to pay for anything in the bag of medicines she gave. She went off, checked then came back and said no. I said I thought I did since they weren't all HRT, she said no. 

Yesterday, I received a letter from NHS BSA about a prescription charge from last year. Looking at what I collected at that time, I'm assuming it was to cover the inhaler. Usually, because I want to avoid doctors' appointments and pharmacies (long story of reasons), I have paid privately for inhalers in the past by bypassing NHS prescriptions altogether. I was not trying to rip off the NHS for the cost of one inhaler. 

I spoke to the pharmacy today. They said they have on their system that I have a pre-payment certificate but not that it is HRT only. I have always shown them my HRT certificate on collection so it wasn't me who told them I have a pre-payment certificate that covers everything. I didn't sign the prescription to say I was exempt because I didn't see the prescription since it was electronic.

I understand that the excuse, "the pharmacy said nothing was chargeable even when I asked about paying and showed them my HRT certificate" is going to be accepted as a good reason. I can understand the NHS BSA's point of view. But I feel aggrieved that the incorrect information on their system (which I did not give) has meant that now I have a penalty charge notice when I was fully offering to pay for any items on collection. 

lisyloo

Dispute it.

You can call (03003301368) the NHS business team or write a letter (NHSBSA, PO Box 321, Darlington, DL98 1AL) or email (nhsbsa.dentalbecs@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.). It may be better to write an email or a letter instead of calling. You should keep the letter or email as evidence that you challenged the penalty charge.