Recently, I went to the pharmacy with a prescription. There were multiple items on the prescription and it was over two pages. I paid by card and have the receipt for the number of items over the two pages.
Fast forward and I received a letter from the NHS business services authority who have issued me with a penalty charge notice for the single item on the second page. There was no room for it on the first page. They said that the payment exemption box had been ticked on the back of this. At the doctors or the pharmacy.
However, they haven't contacted the Doctor or the pharmacy. They have simply issued me a £50 fine for an item I have paid for. The pharmacy would have the transaction corresponding to the prescription, I would imagine.
I rang them and there was an unhelpful chappie on the other end. Insinuating my receipt could be for a different prescription for the same number of items on the same day. He said they have no way of knowing if the items are from the same prescription.
It is a good thing I am not efficient in shredding my card receipts or I'd be stung for something I have paid for. Somebody ticked the payment exemption box on the second page of the prescription, even though the pharmacy charged me for the item anyway. And it is part two of a two page prescription.
I can send them a copy of the receipts, but it seems they cannot ascertain if the prescription issued on one date is filled on the card receipt date. Chappie said I could have filled another prescription (for same medicine!) and they don't contact the pharmacy.
So, the corollary would be that you buy a pair of shoes and get a receipt for payment. You need to return the shoes and go back in with the receipt. The shop assistant says your receipt corresponds to the shoes you are returning but you could have bought another exact pair and the receipt is really for the other shoes.