Local Pharmacy worker tries to charge for free birth control, should I, and who should I report this too?

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bluepushkin@reddit

Get your prescription delivered. Then you don't need to deal with the pharmacy in person at all. It's free and only takes a couple of days from you ordering to it being posted through your door.

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i use a service called Pharmacy2U and they have been excellent at sending reminders for me to order more birth control but my GP refuses to communicate with them because i can pick up the pill from a pharmacy! i live a very long bus ride away from a pharmacy so delivering is the easiest option for me, but my GP keeps on sending me texts saying the pill is now available from the pharmacy to pick up. so frustrating!

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bluepushkin@reddit

I use them too. You have a right to choose. They can't deny using whatever pharmacy you've told them you prefer.

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Interrogatingthecat@reddit

Sure that solves it for themselves, but what about everyone else that's getting charged for this? If OP has the opportunity and knowledge to help them, then shouldn't they?

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lavenderacid@reddit

They're generally terrible in a lot of places. I went to get some and the pharmacist was really confused and had to go to the back to ask another worker. I heard them say something like "she should have done the training months ago but didn't".

It took close to an hour for them to sort it out. They asked me so many questions, redid my blood pressure 3 times, and made me wait the entire time. Eventually they went to dispense it, asked me my address, then said I had the wrong address and couldn't be given the prescription. It then turned out she was mistakenly looking at the printed address of the pharmacy, not my listed home address.

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Confusedhole@reddit

that’s so ridiculous i had to laugh to not cry!! looking at the pharmacy’s address?? she needs the sack

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Potatoeyecowhater@reddit

Til that some birth control is free 🤦🏼‍♀️

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KC-2416@reddit

It's pretty much just condoms you have to pay for. Anything hormonal such as tablets or requiring a procedure to inject or insert by a nurse or doctor at an NHS facility is free.

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turingthecat@reddit

And you can get free condoms at GUM clinics and most Dr’s surgeries, if you ask at reception.
Which I have to say, was quite useful when I was young, dumb and often drunk (I’m still dumb, but I’ve calmed down in old age)

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KC-2416@reddit

I can't imagine asking at my GP reception. I'd also be mortified if they said they didn't have any. I've not seen any posters about it.

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miffyonabike@reddit

You can also get free condoms. It's easier for people aged under 25 as there's the c-card scheme in a lot of places, but some health centres etc also give ten at a time to anyone who asks. Make enquiries locally and you should find somewhere!

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Uncoordinatedfitness@reddit

I don’t have any advice but just to say this occasionally happens to me with some of the pharmacists at my pharmacy. I try to subtlety say “I dont think I need to pay for the prescription” and then they say “why” and i have too loudly explain in front of other customers that birth control is a free prescription. I’ve often wondered if they are religious and are doing this to make it as uncomfortable as possible to pick up birth control. Each time they have been women and i find it hard to believe that women working in a pharmacy don’t know birth control is free.

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DameKumquat@reddit

I had the opposite some years ago - a GP refused to represcribe the pill (for painful periods) if I wouldn't admit I was having sex (which I wasn't). Eventually she told me I'd have to pay for it if I wasnt using it as a contraceptive.

I hit Boots (only chemist in town), and the guy age about 18 said it was free. I said what my GP had said. He was pretty sure my GP was wrong, so got the manager. Blushing all round, but they confirmed that it functioned as a contraceptive no matter what, so it was free. Just if I decided to make use of that function in future, please read the manual very carefully.

A while later I collected my pills from a Kilburn pharmacy. Pleasant competent service. Imagine my surprise when I discovered they didn't sell condoms, because they were good Catholics. But they happily issued all prescribed medication, because that's what a pharmacy does and they weren't going to interfere between me and my doctor. If only all pharmacies were the same!

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Glad-Pomegranate6283@reddit

Not the same at all. But when I was in a same sex relationship I couldn’t get contraception for painful periods (I have pcos and suspected endometriosis), bc there was 0 chance I could get pregnant. I had to go through my GP practice where they never actually chased it up with me, and I ended up only being able to get it when I moved house

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DameKumquat@reddit

Who said you couldn't?? That's mad - the pill is the first-line treatment for PCOS, unless you want to get pregnant!

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Glad-Pomegranate6283@reddit

The sexual health clinic themselves bc I wasn’t eligible for funding bc I wasn’t using it for contraceptive reasons. Ironically in the same trust whilst I was in that relationship, a pre op nurse didn’t believe me when I said it was impossible to be pregnant and she went on about there “being other ways”. Instead of asking if I’d slept with a man recently, was in an open relationship etc. I’m glad I got contraception eventually soon after bc I have really severe suicidal thoughts without it too

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DameKumquat@reddit

That really is bonkers - I'd be tempted to complain, but sounds like you have enough on your plate.

Some nurses have very little training and aren't capable of thinking outside their scripts (or are told not to). You may find it helpful in future to admit that it is possible you might be slightly fertile and that you might conceivably get raped, and therefore it is for contraceptive purposes, just so they can happily tick the box on their form...

They do get it hammered into them not to believe anyone about not being possible to be pregnant, unless they see a urine test. So many women in denial, or lesbians who got drunk and shagged a guy (and didnt have any condoms or contraception, because they're lesbians, right?), or think they can't get pregnant... Still doesn't excuse being rude or stupid euphemisms!

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21delirium@reddit

I currently have a prescription for birth control for endometriosis which has (so far) been free, although I'm always worried about running into a situation like the one with your GP given that the endo was discovered during surgery to have my fallopian tubes removed.

I can't even really argue it's a contraceptive as well given that it'd make me a medical marvel if I needed that!

So far, so good though...

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AChillBear@reddit

It's actually based on the indication. So if a contraceptive is being prescribed for a non-contraceptive purpose it's chargeable. If it were also being prescribed for contraception then it's free.

National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000, Regulation 7 and Schedule 1

Schedule 1 lists drugs and appliances that are exempt from prescription charges. This includes “contraceptive substances and appliances” but applies only when prescribed for contraceptive purposes.
Interpretation:
If a contraceptive is prescribed for a medical condition (e.g., acne, endometriosis), it falls outside the scope of this exemption. The NHS considers this a treatment for a medical condition rather than a contraceptive use, meaning the prescription charge applies unless the patient has another exemption.

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DameKumquat@reddit

It's done by what the drug is, so you'll be fine.

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mimimidu@reddit

I think it's probably them not knowing that it is birthday control. There are lots of different varieties of birth control with different names. Not all the staff are pharmacists and I guess if they are a bit thick they might not bother with learning the names or even bother to read them.

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Lemon-Flower-744@reddit

I think you're right that they are trying to make it uncomfortable to pick up birth control.

At this one pharmacy, I had to explain multiple times that birth control was free. Always the same person. The tone she had was not okay, she made it seem like I was playing the system when birth control is always free. My sister picked up her birth control at the same pharmacy, same woman tried to charge her. My sister actually got up online that it was free so wtf.

We spoke to the pharmacist who said 'we will retrain her.' And they either didn't or she was being told differently.

We left a review on Google and changed pharmacies and we haven't had the issue since.

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Stripycardigans@reddit

When they charge you there should be a piece of paper you sign to confirm you've received your prescription

On that bit of paper there are also the exemptions for why you don't pay. One of these says "free birth control". I'd tick that and point it out to her.

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pringellover9553@reddit

I’ve never signed a piece of paper for my birth control

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palimpsest2@reddit

Actually it's a bit confusing because there isn't an exemption for free birth control to tick. Birth control items automatically register on the electronic system as 'no charge items' which tells the NHS the patient doesn't need to pay for them so they don't actually require any ticking or signing. Obviously this leads to situations like this where it's required the person at the counter needing to know that these are items the patient doesn't pay for.

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Tattycakes@reddit

I'm wondering what she's scanning or typing in and how she's charging people for these items if they won't have a charge associated with them on the till system?

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palimpsest2@reddit

All NHS prescriptions that are paid for are charged at the same rate which is £9.90 per item. The till will have an option that's like 'NHS Charge' which you press when selling the prescription. If you printed the receipt it would just be like '£9.90 - NHS Prescription Charge' or '£19.80 - NHS Prescription Charge' (if there were 2 items).

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pluckingpubes@reddit

If it automatically comes up at such, why do they need to remember?

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palimpsest2@reddit

It's hard to explain if you've never seen it. It comes up automatically for the NHS when these prescriptions are sent off to them at the end of the month hence it doesn't need to be ticked and signed. The NHS will see the prescription and say 'patient has not ticked and signed oh but it is XYZ birth control nevermind that is a no charge item'. For the person on the counter all they see is a prescription and they don't know whether it is paid for or not. They should know obviously or the pharmacist should write free on it or something but depends on the pharmacy.

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pluckingpubes@reddit

Gotcha makes sense. At that point they should refund the client!

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blondererer@reddit

I was once charged for birth control. I hadn’t even thought about it. A couple of days later, the pharmacy called to say I shouldn’t have been charged and to provide a refund.

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palimpsest2@reddit

Yeah definitely! I think it's one of the first mistakes I made when I joined pharmacy lol straight out of secondary school 😭 I had to ring the patient and tell them to come back in for a refund.

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waterproof6598@reddit

It’s been a while since I got birth control in the UK, but there definitely used to be a piece of paper you’d tick ‘free birth control’. Has this been discontinued or is it different pharmacy to pharmacy?

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CTLNBRN@reddit

I haven’t had a physical prescription in years, it now just gets sent electronically to a pharmacy I nominate. I’m not sure if this is per GP or just standard practice.

When I had the physical prescription the whole tick whether you pay or not made sense but I suspect since it’s gone mostly digital it’s recorded somewhere what type of prescription it is. I now just get asked if I pay for prescriptions when I collect them which suggest the pharmacist doesn’t have that information available to them.

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feetflatontheground@reddit

You still have to tick when you collect the items.

They'll ask if you pay and if you say no, then you have to tick a box at the back of the prescription, and sign and date.

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CTLNBRN@reddit

Not in my personal experience but I suppose this could vary by pharmacy. I usually just get asked if I pay, say I do, pay and then leave with my items. Maybe if you have an exemption or a prepaid card the tick and sign comes in.

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antjelope@reddit

Not in my pharmacy. They ask you what exemption you have and send you off with your prescriptions. No tick / signature needed. I haven’t seen a piece of paper in years. They seem to label the price to pay on the outer bag though.

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palimpsest2@reddit

Just been discontinued I think. No idea why because it's clearly the easiest way to do it.

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newbracelet@reddit

When I worked counter at pharmacy (admittedly a long time ago, but I can't imagine it's changed) we were instructed not to look at the medication portion of the prescription so as to preserve customer privacy. I didn't handle any of the prescription meds, so I never paid any attention to what was on the prescriptions, I definitely wouldn't know whether someone was being prescribed birth control or not.

We relied on asking the customer if they needed to pay and letting them sign the form if they said they didn't. Then it's between the NHS and them to chase if they've lied.

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Stripycardigans@reddit

Interesting, I know I've ticked that box in the past, but maybe it's changed

I pick my BC up with other prescriptions now, so I tick the prescription prepayment certificate box as that covers the other 2 prescriptions.

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Isgortio@reddit

My old pharmacy used to make me tick and sign for it. My new one prints a label that says "no charge" and they don't ask me to sign anything or try to charge me. I guess there's a lot of people that pay not realising they don't need to pay.

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peekachou@reddit

It's option X on the exemption list

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justabean27@reddit

A chain tried to charge as well and this wasn't an option on the piece of paper. I tried to explain to the 20something girl at the till but she just wouldn't comprehend. A manager had to be called. They tried this multiple times as well. Eventually I had enough and got the coil

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QueenCookieOxford@reddit

Used to be box X on the back but it’s no longer on the FP10

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dodasup@reddit

I feel sorry for the other staff members who have to work with this women. If she can’t remember something simple like contraception being free then she’s got no chance with the bigger stuff.

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Illustrious_Study_30@reddit

I think, considering there are hundreds of named contraceptives, she'd have a hard time remembering which is which and the ultimate responsibility lies with the pharmacist. I think they need better systems so the counter staff know instantly. Like a great big sticker or something. That's what every pharmacy I've worked in does.

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pls0000@reddit

Have you considered getting mail order prescriptions? It doesn't sound as if this pharmacy is very trustworthy. Hopefully they don't accidentally kill anyone with a messed up prescription.

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lickmybrains@reddit

You can call the general pharmaceutical council on 020 3713 8000 - they will discuss your concern and tell you wether it is something they would formally investigate

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Safxcu@reddit

I used to do this mistake on my first few days because the only sign showing that it is no charge is a little “CC” next to the prescription item on the script. Though if she’s been there longer than a week then I’d expect her to have caught on by now

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TwoTwoJohn@reddit

If you can't trust her to process one medication correctly then can you really trust her with your other medications?

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Popular-Reply-3051@reddit

I'm no expert but I don't think the ignorant girl (she is and maybe not so bright if OP has told her this multiple times) is processing it. I think only one who can touch the drugs is the pharmacist. She's just dispensing the medication that's already in the little bags ready to go.

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TwoTwoJohn@reddit

There's what should happen and what does happen. The ideal world and the real world.

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asderfghjk@reddit

Someone who actually works in pharmacy here - typically medication is dispensed by a dispenser, then checked off by a pharmacist or technician. Unfortunately in community pharmacy from first and second hand experience there is unfortunately a wide spectrum of competence, especially from pharmacists themselves... Any member of the team working on the counter typically learns of the free NHS contraceptive items (or are marked as such with a sticker!) and it's unfortunate how common this seems to be.

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Popular-Reply-3051@reddit

Under direct supervision of a pharmacist of if they're a pharmacist technician. I'm really hoping this girl is not a technician!!!!! https://www.gov.uk/government/news/patients-and-pharmacies-to-benefit-from-changes-to-supervision#:~:text=Currently%2C%20the%20preparation%2C%20assembly%2C,to%20work%20without%20direct%20supervision.

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CheeryBottom@reddit

I would ask for a private consultation with the pharmacist. Explain the problem with them and request they retrain and shadow the employee in question.

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AnonymousTimewaster@reddit

This seems like a lot of effort for something that could just be a quick phone call the the manager?

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CheeryBottom@reddit

I find, people dismiss your concern less easily, when you’re stood infront of them, looking them right in their eyes.

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caniuserealname@reddit

sure.. but as soon as you're not stood right in front of them, looking them right in their eyes. Those concerns get dismissed just as easily.

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Tony_Meatballs_00@reddit

You take a photo of your eyes and sick copies up all over the shop

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_Mothmay_@reddit (OP)

I’m going to do this, thank you!

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CozJeez85@reddit

That would work if they pharmacy didn't likely have an army of locum pharmacists on a rota.

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anti-sugar_dependant@reddit

It's rather concerning that you've had to tell her multiple times. Once is a mistake, but if she's having to get other staff to confirm birth control is free multiple times, you'd think they'd start wondering how many times they're going to have to tell her.

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take-no-shit85@reddit

I kind of think you’re over reacting. Are you uk based? Only asking as when I collect my medication the receptionist just gets the bag thru don’t actually know what’s inside as it’s not there business to know they don’t pick it back it and check it. If she looks on a computer to locate it this also doesn’t mean she is checking what the medication is maybe just where is it. It’s not exactly the end of the world to say it’s a free item and her having to check. Sure it’s a little bit annoying but is it worth someone maybe loosing their job over? Sure speak to the manager of it annoys you that much but reporting is a bit harsh. Maybe help them to set up a special word for free contraception medication so all staff are aware and then you don’t have to discuss it infront of people either if this is what’s bothering you more.

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Competitive_Pen7192@reddit

Wonder if she's doing it to pocket the money herself? Although with modern card payments this might be hard...

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Sarcasticgoat613@reddit

People who work in pharmacies sometimes act as though every day is their first day working at a pharmacy.

Source: I am a pharmacist and work in a pharmacy with said people. I have developed a mild case of Truman syndrome as a result

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BakerShort5927@reddit

My local pharmacy tries to charge me every time. The last time my daughter picked up the prescription for me and the pharmacy called my house demanding I go back and pay for the prescription or they would report me to the police.

I got an apology from the manager and I haven't had a new prescription since but hoping I won't have the same issues next time.

I would raise the issue with the manager before doing anything else.

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avemango@reddit

I would ask to speak to the prescribing pharmacist rather than the dispenser and double check and get the pharmacist to correct her. Or leave a shitty Google review and hope they sort it internally

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Cassieeleighh@reddit

Wait is the pill free??? I’ve always had to pay?

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Szeretlek_szivem@reddit

What about ordering an online birth control prescription such as one in Boots? It’s private so you would need to pay for them, no?

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rtheabsoluteone@reddit

I’d just say get me someone who can retain information I don’t want to be served by you.

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Unusual_Classic_3779@reddit

What birth control are you on?

I only ask because I am on the Evra patch (and have been for over twenty years). This is a far less common form of birth control and I've frequently come across pharmacy workers that don't recognise it as such because they either haven't seen it before or see it infrequently. Sometimes a newer person will double check with their superior that it IS birth control, even when I point it out.

There's no malice in their actions, in fact I'm glad they are diligent and double check. It requires only an iota of patience on my behalf.

If you are on a more familiar birth control though, then just ask, both in person and over email (paper trail) that additional training is given in this regard.

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_Mothmay_@reddit (OP)

The one I’m on is a very popular pill, I’m going to write a note or go in and talk to someone though :)

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noddyneddy@reddit

Frankly I’d you have more than two regular prescriptions that aren’t birth control it’s cheaper and easier - cos there’s a box to tick - do buy an annual prepayment certificate which tops out at £155 and can be paid by monthly debit. That would just sidestep this whole issue. Don’t suppose this particular assistant has religious views on birth control and the sluts that use it at all? Less likely than in US but they’re still around and this could be her passive- aggressive response! Try her with a selection of condom and lubricants and see if you get a reaction! Just kidding

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Obvious_Arugula_1650@reddit

I think its probably a lack of training on the counter staff. I would ring the pharmacist directly or manager and ask to have a note added to your record. That will come up on the label and should act as prompt to the counter staff to not ask for a fee for the contraceptive pill. I don’t know how long that person has been in the job but it can be hard for a new person to learn all the contraceptive drug names if they have no pharmacy experience. We were all beginners once

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fussyfella@reddit

You really must report it.

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A_Muslamic_Ray_Gun@reddit

Hello

Sadly, most likely the girl isn't trained and experienced enough to spot that you are prescribed a Free of Charge Contraceptive.

There are a tonne of different types available now on the market, with many more brand names. This is hard to keep up with.

I've been in pharmacy for ten years, and it is far from easy to ensure minimum wage paid staff are kept up to date with training. Many pharmacists are barely on it too, with everything else we have to remember on a daily basis with our communities, individual needs, branch needs etc.

People have suggested speaking to the pharmacist/manager , realistically, working in pharmacy, this isn't going to do much.

It is routine to ask all patients, unless obvious, if they pay for their prescriptions. For pharmacies, it is essential to ask for these payments, as they are automatically taken away from us - so we must ensure we charge patients, or we can lose out very easily. These payments are a tax for the NHS by the way.

It would be good though, if the NHS updated the system to put a letter as a symbol next to an contraceptive, to indicate it is a free of charge contraceptive, to avoid embarrassment and so on. It's already been suggested for a long time.

Hope this helps.

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Otherwise_Hunter8425@reddit

I disagree that there is no worth in speaking to a manager/responsible pharmacist on duty as there is clearly a training issue that they are responsible for, it just depends how it is framed - if you go in to complain then it really isn't going to do much but if you go in and explain the issue and ask them how they plan to improve the situation and stop it happening again then most places will be generally receptive to looking at whether there is a process they can put in place

"Hi Pharmacy Manager, I have picked up my pill here multiple times and on every occasion Sarah has served me she has tried to charge me for the prescription even though it is a FoC item. I had paid for the item in the past as I wasn't aware it was supposed to be FoC but now I am aware, every time I come in I have to explain what my medication is and why it is FoC. I appreciate that not every staff member will be trained to recognize every medication and some medications can have multiple uses but is there some way that a FoC item like contraceptives can be marked on the prescription during dispensing so that counter staff like Sarah are aware that an item is FoC when they hand it out? This situation is making me consider using another pharmacy as it makes me uncomfortable having to constantly discuss my contraception at the pharmacy counter."

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sortofhappyish@reddit

The chemist store still scans the birth control box for stock level checking. It comes up on the till as £0.00

This woman is trying to pull a fast one. She has NO PRICE to request from you. So she's pocketing the difference.

You need https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/patients-and-public/reporting-concerns

they investigate pharmacies, can audit their books and can even send in fake 'customers' to see if they genuinely are trying to charge for free items.

If they find incorrect behaviour they can fine the pharmacy, or even take away their ability to handle NHS prescriptions. (I know this because there was a pharmacy near me that was ripping off the elderly - they lost their ability to process ANY NHS prescriptions and went out of business)

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Pixie_UK@reddit

Have your meds delivered instead. It’s free. Ask your doctor to help. And tell your doctor what is happening with the pharmacy.

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PigletAlert@reddit

Question, can she see what’s in the bag and is it marked in any way as contraception? Sometimes the pill can be used for acne and is then chargeable. This could be a process issue in the pharmacy rather than a her problem, why don’t you just ask to speak to the pharmacist?

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Vivid-Blacksmith-122@reddit

I would contact the local Integrated Care Board for your area and report them. They deal with primary care complaints. Its actually fraud because they may be claiming payment from the ICB as well.

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Obvious_Arugula_1650@reddit

Only its not fraud because when the pharmacy is claiming for the medicine they dispensed. The prescription fee goes into another pot of money that doesn’t even go to the pharmacy! The prescription fee is effectively a tax the pharmacy is collecting on behalf of the goverment. This is a training issue not a fraud issue.

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Repulsive-Bridge111@reddit

I stopped using my local pharmacy, they had really good staff and were excellent, then they got taken over, the good staff all left (not at the same time) and were replaced by much younger staff, who are all thick as pig-shit, you constantly had to tell them the same things every time you visited. They don't deliver prescriptions that are for delivery unless you phone up a week later asking where the hell it is!

My advice is find another pharmacy, because nothing will change

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SirCaesar29@reddit

My partner has to explain that it's free every single time at every single pharmacy she's ever been to.

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nl325@reddit

I didn’t know when I started birth control that it was actually free, so she has charged me a few times before someone told me it was free.

You didn't know yourself.

If she didn't know, it's probably because nobody that's told her other than you, and in the nicest way possible, any staff of any type of business that takes a customer telling them something should be free at face value is dumber than someone who needs to be told something multiple times lol

Sounds like an issue with the boss rather than the staff, but "report"?

Just have a word with the owner or manager like an adult

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_Mothmay_@reddit (OP)

Wow did I touch a nerve??

I didn’t know because I haven’t been on the meds very long. She works in a pharmacy, handling peoples medication it’s her JOB to know this. The other staff have heard me tell her it’s free before and done nothing about it - I’m pretty sure they’re aware.

I do intend to talk to the manager or whatever as other commenters have advised, the reason I mentioned reporting is because I have had an issue with this pharmacy before that I tried to talk to them about and nothing changed. Maybe I should have mentioned that?

But seriously, I didn’t know so why should she? The one working there?? lol

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A_Muslamic_Ray_Gun@reddit

Hello

Sadly, most likely the girl isn't trained and experienced enough to spot that you are prescribed a Free of Charge Contraceptive. This is a normal reality. I appreciate you're frustrated, but this is standard. I am genuinely sorry, but you are mistaken in thinking it's her job to know. Legally, and clinically, it really isn't - only the registered pharmacist and technicians NEED to know this.

There are a tonne of different types available now on the market, with many more brand names. This is hard to keep up with the thousands of drugs for different things.

I've been in pharmacy for ten years, and it is far from easy to ensure minimum wage paid staff are kept up to date with training. Many pharmacists are barely on it too, with everything else we have to remember on a daily basis with our communities, individual needs, branch needs etc.

People have suggested speaking to the pharmacist/manager , realistically, working in pharmacy, this isn't going to do much.

It is routine to ask all patients, unless obvious, if they pay for their prescriptions. For pharmacies, it is essential to ask for these payments, as they are automatically taken away from us - so we must ensure we charge patients, or we can lose out very easily. These payments are a tax for the NHS by the way.

It would be good though, if the NHS updated the system to put a letter as a symbol next to an contraceptive, to indicate it is a free of charge contraceptive, to avoid embarrassment and so on. It's already been suggested for a long time.

Hope this helps.

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nl325@reddit

Maybe I should have mentioned that?

Yes, because then it goes from weirdly intense escalation of a relatively small pain in the arse to a recurring issue

Edit just to make it clear: she is not just a teenage shop assistant working Saturdays, she’s a woman who works there full time from how often I see her there, and handles medication.

Same with that as well in fairness. I just see so many overly reactive posts on here it's easy to default to thinking it without context. Including someone asking to seek legal advice because their flatmate has a girlfriend stay a few times a week lol

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_Mothmay_@reddit (OP)

Without mentioning what it was it’s hard to explain that the previous thing wasn’t similar to this, and didn’t feel relevant, it’s not a reoccurring issue it is a pain in the arse lol. But whatever, I didn’t want to make a massive long post - just to deal with the matter at hand with the relevant information :)

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ImJustARunawaay@reddit

You didn't know yourself.

I don't know the intricacies of running and maintaining a gas pipeline, but I still expect Cadent to do it properly. What kind of point is this?

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nl325@reddit

It’s obvious on talking to her that she isn’t trying to make more money I think, she just doesn’t know.. But she should. I’ve told her a few times now and she’s always like “Oh? Is it? Sorry”

This bit. If OP didn't know, and the staffer's bosses haven't explicitly told them and they have to rely on colleagues each time, it's the pharmacy at fault not the individual staffer.

Again, if someone is just accepting a customer saying "this should be free" without question, that too is a problem.

Dispensers have to know and remember a shitload of things, and anecdotally the primary demographic of local family pharmacies tends to be older people thanks to supermarkets, so to the OP yeah it's probably a royal pain in the arse, to the staff it's probably easily forgotten.

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Interrogatingthecat@reddit

But how many times until that sticks? Being reminded 3 times? 4? More?

There has to be a point

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nl325@reddit

Not gonna lie, my main beef with this is the "who do I report to" question and the replies of various bodies, legal routes etc.

This could very, very easily by resolved by just talking to whoever is in charge at the pharmacy, much less likely resulting in one or two people ending up in potentially severe trouble and/or sackings over what really is just a minor pain in the arse.

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Dimac99@reddit

How is being charged £9.90 (repeatedly!) for free medication a minor pain in the arse? How is the assistant being corrected multiple times and continuing to ignore the legal position a minor pain in the arse? This person has undoubtedly taken money they should not from women who can ill afford it, and like as not, put some off using said medication. You do know the potential outcome of not using proper contraception, I assume. Yes, it is the pharmacy's responsibility to train staff appropriately, but being a pharmacy, if they do not then it becomes a regulatory issue. At this point, the pharmacy must be aware that she is having to check with other staff because she doesn't know the rules, and they are certainly aware that the public don't, so the few that question her ought to be ringing internal alarm bells.

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InterestingBadger932@reddit

Ring ring "hi, can I speak with a manager pls?"

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Worldly-Stranger-528@reddit

You clearly say yourself that you initially did not know that birth control prescriptions were free of charge. Why do you then go on to berate this young woman who also didn"t know. Firstly she isn't a pharmacist so has no idea what "X" medication is as opposed to say "Y" medication she is no different to any till operator and you wouldn't expect your Tesco till operator to know all products in the store. Yes you may need to remind her when she tries to charge , do you have any idea how many brands and generic names there are for birth control. A quick word with the pharmacist is all that is needed here. It could be a problem within the processing whereby FOC is not clearly indicated on the packaging that the cashier is given and easily rectifiable.

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_Mothmay_@reddit (OP)

Not berating her, but she WORKS in a PHARMACY, it’s her actual JOB to know this stuff if she is handling people’s prescriptions. I do intend to go and talk to whoever is running the place as other commenters have advised, the reason I mentioned reporting is because this isn’t the first time I’ve had an issue with this pharmacy and nothing ever changes.. (I wont go into what, but maybe I should have mentioned that in my post)

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QueenCookieOxford@reddit

Is she a dispenser or does she just give out the prescriptions when they’re collected? Do you normally pay for your other medications?

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MuddyBicycle@reddit

Because it's her job?

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simbawasking@reddit

I used to work in a pharmacy and this is likely a training issue. It possibly depends on whether she is simply on the till or understands different medication.

When giving out medication they simply have the prescription for what the drug is, so they’d need to understand what it is and that it’s free of charge. If not, it’s understandable to think you may need to pay i.e. not visibly over 60 etc.

If it’s just contraception then sometimes the pharmacist would just complete this for the customer (not sure if this is usual practice now).

The correct question they should be asking is “do you need to pay for the prescription?”. This is then your opportunity to say no (also applies to those with other exemptions such as long term health issues such as diabetes).

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PaintAggressive2888@reddit

The GP needs to mark the prescription as a contraceptive and therefore free. Otherwise it's chargeable.

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CaptainQueen1701@reddit

Pharmacies are regulated. Inform the regulator that contraceptives are being charged for at that location.

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Dimac99@reddit

This is the correct course. The pharmacist is responsible and if the business wants to continue to be licensed to dispense controlled drugs, they have to commit to following the regulations.

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BikeApprehensive4810@reddit

When you get charged for a prescription that money doesn’t actually go directly to the pharmacy they get paid a dispensing fee and a set cost for medications for any prescriptions they dispense. So she isn’t doing this to make money.

She’s probably doesn’t recognise the names of all the contraceptive medications. I doubt she’s a pharmacy technician, she’s probably just a cashier/shop assistant.

It used to be easier because you would tick a box on the back of the prescription to say it was exempt from paying, but that has now been removed. It gets flagged up later in the process now.

I think you’re making this into a bigger deal than it is, just say when you hand over your prescription that it’s exempt. Problem solved. Let the pharmacist or store manager know if is really bothering you.

I used to work in a pharmacy as a teenager, I knew nothing and made mistakes like this all the time.

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Dimac99@reddit

OP is not making too big of a deal out of this. If anything, they should be making a much bigger deal of it. Nobody should be left out of pocket by the mistakes of a pharmacy.

OP states that they mistakenly paid a non-applicable prescription fee in the past before being told by someone else that their contraceptive pill was exempt. They cannot get that money back. Meanwhile, despite being corrected, the assistant continues to try to charge OP, and therefore we can infer is charging other women, who may not know their prescription is supposed to be free. How can you possibly not see what a huge deal this is? Some of those women may be unable to afford it or unable to correct the assistant even if they know better because of the delicate nature of the subject.

We already have a problem with contraceptive availability leading to an increase in abortions. However anyone feels about the subject, surely we can all agree that nobody should be put in the position of needing one because they were unable to access the contraception they were entitled to. And being wrongly charged a prescription fee, in an economy where people are skipping meals to make ends meet, could very well lead to missed pills and unintended pregnancy.

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MuddyBicycle@reddit

The main issue is that pretty much anyone can work in a pharmacy, I promise you there is more scrutiny and better training for selling crisps.

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Otherwise_Hunter8425@reddit

As someone who works in a pharmacy I would ask to speak to the manager and explain what has happened. Don't go in "complaining" that the staff member is deliberately charging you but more of an 'FYI your staff don't seem able to identify contraception so what can be done to stop the situation happening again?' as you'll get a better response. The pharmacy needs to have a system in place to identify free of charge medications for their staff during the band out process.

In the pharmacy I work at we have some staff who are purely "counter assistants" so all they do is sell OTC items and if you come for a prescription they find your prescription in the file and take the bag off the shelf to hand it out ... They have zero input in the actual dispensing process and have only the most basic knowledge of prescription medications. Some are trainees who are working towards their dispensing qualifications so will learn the different meds but others are literally just cashiers in the pharmacy.

There are so many different contraception medications sometimes prescribed generically sometimes by a named brand that it is not easy to recognize a "contraceptive" unless it is marked as one, especially if you have no medical knowledge. This is why, in my pharmacy, when we dispense a prescription we physically write on the prescription if it is FOC, the same way as we write if something is a multiple charge item, if it is stored in the fridge or CD cupboard etc

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MuddyBicycle@reddit

If that is their level of training and recruitment, change pharmacy.

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_whopper_@reddit

I doubt the person working on the till or the dispenser knows what in every prescription bag. The same bags are used for everything.

It could easily be that the exemption information isn’t printing onto the label for whatever reason, or she isn’t checking it before asking you to pay.

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RNEngHyp@reddit

The pharmacy are able to get hold of stickers that say things like "to pay" or "free" etc and the worker should know this if she's been spoken to about it before. I'd raise it with the pharmacy manager/owner first and then report to NHSBSA. The pharmacy may have a website that will show official registrations etc. Within which there should be an official reporting procedure.

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ProfessorYaffle1@reddit

Yes, when I pick up my repeat presecriptions the label on the bag which has my name on it also says 'not exempt' (althoguh they usually ask whether I pay for my prescriptons as well)

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RNEngHyp@reddit

If it's for birth control then they're putting the wrong label on the bag then. Let them know. Other labels exist. I'd ask why they're putting a "not exempt" label on when YOU may not be exempt, but the MEDICATIONS are. If that makes sense.

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ProfessorYaffle1@reddit

It's not. It's the correct label for the medications I am picking up . I would expect them to have others for exempt medications and for people who are generally expempt

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Madas91@reddit

Slightly different situation but my pain meds are two different doses. Although it's two items, it only counts as one charge. At least every other time I have to point out when they try to charge me double that it is a single charge.

Sometimes they just say "Oh yes" other times they have to go ask the Pharmacist or colleague.

I know it shouldn't be the case but they churn through so many people they are almost autopiloting the spiel...address check...do you pay...two items two charges etc.

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LagerBoi@reddit

I would suggest she's anti-birth control and is charging to try and convince people to not use it by charging as not everyone can afford it.

But that's just the hint of scepticism in me.

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fletch3059@reddit

Personally I'd do an anonymous post to the local Facebook group highlighting that they made a mistake, and put it right, but that you want to make others aware. Not to be bad on the pharmacy but to make others aware that free contraception is available. Should also draw the pharmacies attention to it.

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zephyrmox@reddit

Yes, making facebook drama is definitely the best way to fix anything.

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HeverAfter@reddit

No OP should go to see the Pharmacy Manager

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prefim@reddit

Next time she does it, tell her again, when she says 'oh i didnt know' you can say 'well you said that the last few times I told you so now can I see your manager please as you clearly need retraining'.

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QueenCookieOxford@reddit

Used to be box X on the back but it’s no longer on the FP10. If it is already in the bag and has been checked and dispensed, although she should check the script attached to confirm the patient, she might not recognise the drug as birth control. That said, she shouldn’t be giving out prescriptions for collection with such a limited knowledge but if she’s not involved in dispensing she won’t have the knowledge necessarily. Is she a pharmacist, dispenser or healthcare assistant on the till? Do you usually pay for your other medication?

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EmmalyBlackAngel@reddit

Talk to the manager, but frame it like you’re concerned for the community. Like, ‘Hey, I’ve noticed this happening, and I think it might confuse or stress people who don’t know.’ Keeps it less awkward for you if you still have to go there regularly.

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pikantnasuka@reddit

This is odd, given that contraception is always free you'd expect this to have been made very clear to her and for it to be something she only needed reminding of once. It's going to come up very, very often, so it's hardly niche knowledge you can't reasonably expect someone working in a pharmacist to have.

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