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Original poster

can you return a prescription to a pharmacy…

28 replies

bottolololcks · 10/03/2023 19:22

and get your money back?

The GP I saw today decided to repeat my tablet prescription. She asked me if I needed more cream or if I still have some and I said I still had loads left and didn’t need anymore. This cream is meant to be used once a day very thinly so a little goes. long way.

I collected my prescription from Boots. I didn’t see it because the GP sent directly to them. I collected it in a sealed paper bag and paid.

Got home opened the bag to see not only the tablets but also the cream twice as big as the one I was prescribed a month ago…so more expensive of course - and I don’t need it.

My question - even though it is not Boots’ fault, can I return and get my money back?

OP posts:
NannyGythaOgg · 10/03/2023 19:30

If it's on prescription, then it is the same price no matter what the size. If it is something that you may need in the future (within a year or so; check the use by) then hang on to it.

LIZS · 10/03/2023 19:32

Did you pay one prescription charge or two?

always2ndbest · 10/03/2023 19:33

No they won't be able to refund you as they will have to destroy the cream as it has left the premises and can't be reused. Did you not realise at the time when you paid that you were paying for too many items?

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Original poster
bottolololcks · 10/03/2023 19:39

He gave me the bag, told me the price, I paid. I didn’t know how much it would cost as last time I had the same tablet, plus a smallet cream, plus vitamins.

Thinking about it, I should have realised that the bag was too big and heavy for a small box of tablets.

Good to know that the price is the same regardless the size though.

I do want to put a complaint about the GP. She was very rude and I left feeling very uncomfortable. My GP who is treating me is on holidays until next month so I had to go for this one and I feel she was very insensitive. This just aggravated my views of her even more.

OP posts:
loudbatperson · 10/03/2023 19:40

You wouldn't be charged more for a larger pot, if this is an NHS prescription charge. Although if private you would be.

Will you need another prescription before this one expires? If so I would hang on to it.

As you have already left eh premises with the product it cannot be re-dispensed, so I would highly doubt you will be refunded, particularly as it was not the chemist error.

Original poster
bottolololcks · 10/03/2023 19:41

always2ndbest · 10/03/2023 19:33

No they won't be able to refund you as they will have to destroy the cream as it has left the premises and can't be reused. Did you not realise at the time when you paid that you were paying for too many items?

I pay wathever they tell me, it is not over the counter stuff

OP posts:
LIZS · 10/03/2023 19:46

But each prescription charge is £9.35. Regardless of size or product.

loudbatperson · 10/03/2023 19:47

Is this a private or NHS prescription?

If private each item is priced separately.

If NHS each item (with very limited exceptions) has a flat charge of £9.35 per medication, regardless of size or number of boxes etc.

LuluBlakey1 · 10/03/2023 19:48

bottolololcks · 10/03/2023 19:22

and get your money back?

The GP I saw today decided to repeat my tablet prescription. She asked me if I needed more cream or if I still have some and I said I still had loads left and didn’t need anymore. This cream is meant to be used once a day very thinly so a little goes. long way.

I collected my prescription from Boots. I didn’t see it because the GP sent directly to them. I collected it in a sealed paper bag and paid.

Got home opened the bag to see not only the tablets but also the cream twice as big as the one I was prescribed a month ago…so more expensive of course - and I don’t need it.

My question - even though it is not Boots’ fault, can I return and get my money back?

No. Once dispensed they won't take it back.

always2ndbest · 10/03/2023 20:07

But how many items were you expecting? If you only thought the gp was issuing you tablets then it would've been one prescription charge of £9:35. Did you not query it when they said it was £18:70 or more? Next time ask to see your prescription before you pay and then you can hand back any items not needed and you won't be charged, the pharmacy can mark that item "not dispensed" and then they can reuse the medication

Original poster
bottolololcks · 10/03/2023 20:22

always2ndbest · 10/03/2023 20:07

But how many items were you expecting? If you only thought the gp was issuing you tablets then it would've been one prescription charge of £9:35. Did you not query it when they said it was £18:70 or more? Next time ask to see your prescription before you pay and then you can hand back any items not needed and you won't be charged, the pharmacy can mark that item "not dispensed" and then they can reuse the medication

I don’t know about prices, are prescriptions the same price regardless of what it is?

I was exempt from paying since not long ago. But my income increased and I know now I’m over the threshhold. I called NHS and they confirmed this. Everytime I go to the pharmacy they tell me I’m exempt and I tell them they have not been updated from whoever as now I’m not exempt anymore.

Before they use to send us exemption cards witb start and expiring date and they would renew it periodically as needed. Then they changed to letters. And since my last letter expired I received nothing so I called them to double check the thresholds and confirmed I’m not exempt anymore.

OP posts:
smellyflowers · 10/03/2023 20:23

You can take it back for them to destroy if you dont want it

Riverlee · 10/03/2023 20:24

Prescription charges are charged per medicine, not size. So you would pay for the same for what ever amount of cream you were given. Ie. 50g or 100g weight.

Two different medicines, such as cream and tablets would result in two prescription charges. Some HRT have charged two charges, as they have two separate tablets with in the pack. However, a medicine with combined drugs, eg co-codamil (paracetamol and caffeine) is one charge.

In every pharmacy I go to, the prescription charge is clearly displayed. Why didn’t you question the pharmacy at the time when you were charged more?

Original poster
bottolololcks · 10/03/2023 20:43

Riverlee · 10/03/2023 20:24

Prescription charges are charged per medicine, not size. So you would pay for the same for what ever amount of cream you were given. Ie. 50g or 100g weight.

Two different medicines, such as cream and tablets would result in two prescription charges. Some HRT have charged two charges, as they have two separate tablets with in the pack. However, a medicine with combined drugs, eg co-codamil (paracetamol and caffeine) is one charge.

In every pharmacy I go to, the prescription charge is clearly displayed. Why didn’t you question the pharmacy at the time when you were charged more?

As per my post above I was exempt for years and I didn’t know how the pricing works for pharmacy, I only paid for over the counter

I’m new to paying, I thought each prescription had its own price

My own GP always send me a text message following my appointment with the details of my prescription - name, how to take it, what it is for…

The GP I saw today did not send me a message. If I knew she prescribed something I don’t need I would not take it even if it was still free for me.
Maybe she also thought I’m exempt otherwise she didn’t hear a word I said or made me waste money on purpose…I clearly said I have plenty of cream left.

OP posts:
anythinginapinch · 10/03/2023 20:48

You have paid the exact amount as before but for a bigger pot of cream. Store it in a cool place and just use it when your current jar runs out. What is the issue?

notangelinajolie · 10/03/2023 20:54

How much did you pay?

kitcat15 · 10/03/2023 20:58

Complete non issue🙄

Original poster
bottolololcks · 10/03/2023 20:58

anythinginapinch · 10/03/2023 20:48

You have paid the exact amount as before but for a bigger pot of cream. Store it in a cool place and just use it when your current jar runs out. What is the issue?

the issue is that I don’t need it as I have plenty from the past and hopefully my issue will be solved soon.

and if the cream didn’t solve the problem after 1 month, maybe I should be prescribed a different cream? just maybe? I’m no doctor though

OP posts:
Crazycrazylady · 10/03/2023 21:01

I think they were trying to do you a favour with the bigger size.
Some people aren't happy no matter what they do.

TheHouseNextDoor · 10/03/2023 21:01

Get a NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC)

Original poster
bottolololcks · 10/03/2023 21:11

Crazycrazylady · 10/03/2023 21:01

I think they were trying to do you a favour with the bigger size.
Some people aren't happy no matter what they do.

please read all my posts

thanks

OP posts:
GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 10/03/2023 21:19

You can't get a refund for it OP, as it's left the shop they would have to destroy it.

But in future it's perfectly OK to open the bag they give you at the counter and check what's in it. You can then give back anything you don't need and they won't charge you for it. it's best to do that anyway in case they've made a mistake and given the wrong medication - rare, but it does happen.

Also, as you're new to paying, did you know you can get a prepayment certificate? It covers all your prescriptions no matter how many you need. Info is here www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc

JasonMarks · 10/05/2023 23:18

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Cookerhood · 10/05/2023 23:22

I think JasonMarks is talking about the US.

PinkFootstool · 10/05/2023 23:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

That's not a system that exists in England. Our prescription charges are a fixed fee per item no matter what the cost of the medication really is. We either pay the fixed fee per item or we are exempt from paying at all.

You can't get a percentage off a fixed fee here.