PCN NHS Prescriptions

teaselMay

Some chemists sign the scrips and continue signing them without checking things haven't changed. I had a whole batch of fines a few years ago because my situation had changed from exempt due to UC to prepayment certificate or vice versa but the pharmacy hadn't logged that properly on their system and continued to tick the wrong box. I did get the charges overturned relatively easily, but only because I was actually entitled to tick a box it was just that the wrong box had been ticked. I changed pharmacy too.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82031001#Comment_82031001

Her complaint should have been referred to the chemist if it was their fault.

pmduk

Many pharmacists will complete this on behalf of the patient, believing they are being helpful. It was the cause of my only PCN. As I had an entitlement to free prescriptions under an FP95, the PCN was quashed.

Robbie64

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82032195#Comment_82032195

My pharmacist started completing the back of prescription forms when we had lockdown and social distancing. I used to insist on seeing what had been ticked though they weren't happy about this. I used to just remind them that if the wrong box had been ticked I could be liable for a fine. That said, the correct box had been ticked every time.

deece1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82027428#Comment_82027428

For a long time I wasn’t earning enough so received free prescriptions. Unfortunately, I didn’t realise my salary increased enough and I no longer was eligible for free prescriptions.

deece1

For 6 years I wasn’t earning enough so received free prescriptions. Only recently my salary hit a level whereby I could no longer receive free prescriptions. I didn’t realise this until I received the PCN and called NHS business to understand why I had received the fine. I have now received 4 PCNs for the last 4 months, this is when my salary went up and I hadn’t realised. I’ll speak to NHS business tomorrow, but the £40 extra each month for 5 months is going to be challenging to pay.

itsthelittlethings

That's very tough luck. I think you'll be very lucky to get the fine written off.

HillStreetBlues

I haven't known anyone to come back and say it's been written off, if they do or even reduce it, it would be helpful to let the forum know.

Have you looked into getting a prepayment if that works out cheaper? If you do get one, make sure you note the end date down.

RosieRooBear

I have recently had my £100 fine cancelled although I had to pay for the three prescriptions that were on it.

I’ve paid for a yearly prescription for a good few years but completely forgot to renew it in January this year. The first I realised was when I had a fine come through in March for my February prescription as the chemist I use didn’t let me know either.

I phoned up and spoke to a lovely lady, I made sure to say “there’s probably nothing you can do but etc”, explaining the situation. Brief details are that I went through a traumatic experience which left me with PTSD and unable to leave the house by myself.

She was very understanding and said due to my circumstances she would cancel the fine but I would still have to pay for the three items, which I couldn’t do until a bill was sent 28 days later. I paid it as soon as it came in in April.

I then managed to pay for a new yearly prescription and backdate it to cover my March one, with a reminder set so I know when to renew.

I appreciate that my circumstances are completely different to the OP’s though.

strawb_shortcake

My BiL has been getting chasing letters for failing to pay for a prescription for must be 18-24 months,he gets regular letters but as he rips them up without reading them I've no idea what they say or what the ultimate so what is if you don't pay - I'm not suggesting you don't pay, just curious of the so what?