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Original poster

AIBU to think a pharmacist should know contraception is prescription exempt?

68 replies

TutTutTutSigh · 28/07/2026 18:00

I collected my contraception from the chemist today and the pharmacist asked if I pay for my prescriptions. I said yes, but this is contraception so it's exempt. He said "is it, I don't know." I was a bit taken aback and said yes! He said ok I didn't know that but I believe you.. whilst looking at me like I was trying to trick him.

AIBU to think a pharmacist should know this?

And would you email the chemist just to mention it?

OP posts:
LoremIpsumCici · 29/07/2026 03:10

Sidge · 28/07/2026 20:43

Prostap is chargeable as it’s not a contraceptive.

Depo-provera is not chargeable as it’s a contraceptive.

@MissCooCooMcgoo there is a potential link between depo use and meningiomas. That does not mean everyone on depo will develop a meningioma. Hence why we caution women on depo now and review them regularly.

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Prostap shouldn’t be chargeable as it is for cancer which is a medical exemption from prescription charges in England.

Gateappreciation · 29/07/2026 01:58

youalright · 28/07/2026 22:04

This isn't correct information if you live in england contraception is free no matter what its used for do you think people ring up their drs or the pharmacist to tell them they have split up with their partner so no longer having sex and they say ok that means we will start charging you for the pill. Why are you spreading misinformation contraception is free in england

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No not true. If used for acne, then a prescription charge should be levied. The gp needs to indicate this on the prescription.

Gateappreciation · 29/07/2026 01:48

youalright · 28/07/2026 19:37

This makes no sense how the hell would the pharmacist have details on your sex life. Contraception is free of charge in england

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The gap,is supposed to indicate that it’s for contraception, or not.

youalright · 28/07/2026 23:58

ScrambledEggs12 · 28/07/2026 23:17

I'm not saying that isn't true (as I have no idea). But it's an AI response, so it's not necessarily true

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Do you honestly think women and girls have to inform pharmacist of their sex lives so the pharmacist can decide whether they have to pay for something. Come on i assume your an adult a bit of common sense as I feel people are rage baiting me on this thread because this is absolutely ridiculous

ScrambledEggs12 · 28/07/2026 23:17

youalright · 28/07/2026 23:13

@OnTheBoardwalk

I'm not saying that isn't true (as I have no idea). But it's an AI response, so it's not necessarily true

youalright · 28/07/2026 23:13

@OnTheBoardwalk

AIBU to think a pharmacist should know contraception is prescription exempt?
youalright · 28/07/2026 23:10

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 23:07

Yes if it’s being used as a contraceptive which isn’t for me so I can getting till I’m 55 based on my condition not based on no sperm has come towards me in the last x years

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You're wrong and shouldn't be paying for it

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 23:07

youalright · 28/07/2026 22:46

If you are in england cerelle is free and you shouldn't be paying for it

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Yes if it’s being used as a contraceptive which isn’t for me so I can getting till I’m 55 based on my condition not based on no sperm has come towards me in the last x years

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 22:51

Absolutely agree for contraception but that’s not the reason in my case

Digerydont · 28/07/2026 22:48

PSST. Don't tell Nigel it's free.

youalright · 28/07/2026 22:46

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 22:38

I’ve tried all these since I was 16 and the GP told me it would all be sorted once I had a baby so not to worry

tranexamic made me really ill. It was only when I got a female Dr and got referred to hospital I started getting listened to. The normal pill was great as the female Dr told me I didn’t have to take a break every month that was what the male drs had told me

i’d tried the mini pill before but it didn’t work but im now on Cerrelle that has been a life changer

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If you are in england cerelle is free and you shouldn't be paying for it

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 22:44

Ah actually it was metformin that made me really ill

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 22:38

youalright · 28/07/2026 22:08

@OnTheBoardwalkare you taking something like norethisterone or tranexamic acid for heavy periods these aren't contraceptions

Edited

I’ve tried all these since I was 16 and the GP told me it would all be sorted once I had a baby so not to worry

tranexamic made me really ill. It was only when I got a female Dr and got referred to hospital I started getting listened to. The normal pill was great as the female Dr told me I didn’t have to take a break every month that was what the male drs had told me

i’d tried the mini pill before but it didn’t work but im now on Cerrelle that has been a life changer

youalright · 28/07/2026 22:08

@OnTheBoardwalkare you taking something like norethisterone or tranexamic acid for heavy periods these aren't contraceptions

youalright · 28/07/2026 22:04

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 20:46

Yeah but I’m not using it for contraception as I say in my post, why would I lie and say I’m using it as contraception when there are times I won’t be, that makes no sense

I tell my gp what I want it for so I can get it until I’m 55 for the heavy bleeding no other questions asked

although I have just checked @TutTutTutSigh and this is for the pill only, there is no contraception marker on Depo it’s free for contraception and heavy bleeding etc at no charge. Maybe that’s why the pharmacist wasn’t aware it was contraception

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This isn't correct information if you live in england contraception is free no matter what its used for do you think people ring up their drs or the pharmacist to tell them they have split up with their partner so no longer having sex and they say ok that means we will start charging you for the pill. Why are you spreading misinformation contraception is free in england

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 20:46

youalright · 28/07/2026 19:37

This makes no sense how the hell would the pharmacist have details on your sex life. Contraception is free of charge in england

Show quote history

Yeah but I’m not using it for contraception as I say in my post, why would I lie and say I’m using it as contraception when there are times I won’t be, that makes no sense

I tell my gp what I want it for so I can get it until I’m 55 for the heavy bleeding no other questions asked

although I have just checked @TutTutTutSigh and this is for the pill only, there is no contraception marker on Depo it’s free for contraception and heavy bleeding etc at no charge. Maybe that’s why the pharmacist wasn’t aware it was contraception

Sidge · 28/07/2026 20:43

ToffeePennie · 28/07/2026 19:26

Injections are payable in England on prescription. I’ve been on pro-stap and depro-provera for 3 years and I’m not charged because I have a prepayment but it comes off the prepayment for definite

Prostap is chargeable as it’s not a contraceptive.

Depo-provera is not chargeable as it’s a contraceptive.

@MissCooCooMcgoo there is a potential link between depo use and meningiomas. That does not mean everyone on depo will develop a meningioma. Hence why we caution women on depo now and review them regularly.

Original poster
TutTutTutSigh · 28/07/2026 20:10

WimbyAce · 28/07/2026 18:34

Yes they should know, I am always just given it once confirming address.

You've just reminded me he didn't check my address either. Might order all my other prescriptions and tell him it's all the pill, save myself a fortune 😅*

*kidding, before anyone starts. He must have been a newbie.

OP posts:
nomas · 28/07/2026 20:08

TutTutTutSigh · 28/07/2026 18:16

I would assume they have some kind of system or how would they know how many items to charge for, if it had been chargeable?

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I pay for prescriptions, sometimes they still
ask me if I pay, especially when it’s the assistant at the till, not the pharmacist.

youalright · 28/07/2026 19:45

MissCooCooMcgoo · 28/07/2026 19:44

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/11/uk-law-firms-consider-action-on-behalf-of-women-who-developed-brain-tumours-after-using-contraceptive

Mengianoma on the brain. Non cancerous brain tumors.

I could find you articles on every single form of contraception this isn't anything new

MissCooCooMcgoo · 28/07/2026 19:41

Nobody should be taking depo provera! Its been shown to cause brain lesions. Massive case in the US. Will try to find the link.

magicpractice · 28/07/2026 19:40

I always get asked for my thyroxine so I guess they don’t know what’s exempt

youalright · 28/07/2026 19:39

Spacecowboys · 28/07/2026 18:57

Much more likely this was a shop worker, not the pharmacist.
With time, people who work the shop floor in a chemists will become familiar with the names of common medications ( for which there are many). But it will take time. Not a big deal.

This people are being way to dramatic on this thread and acting like they've never started a new job before.

youalright · 28/07/2026 19:37

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/07/2026 18:48

I use contraception to stop my heavy periods not to stop me getting pregnant. I have to pay for the prescription as I’m not using it for contraception. I’m ok with that

This makes no sense how the hell would the pharmacist have details on your sex life. Contraception is free of charge in england

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