To think I shouldn't have to pay a second prescription charge for GP error?

[LittleRebelGirl]

My GP issued me a prescription today for an antibiotic. I got the prescription, took it home, read the patient information leaflet before taking (luckily). It is contraindicated for a medication I am taking that the GP is aware of. It can cause increased pressure in the brain and lead to loss of sight.
The GP issued a new prescription and apologised for the error and said he did not check the list of medications thoroughly.
But I still have to pay for the new prescription. I'm a bit miffed if I'm honest. Money is very tight currently. I need the medication as I'm really unwell so I've had to pay it. AIBU?

Did you bring the original prescription back to the pharmacist and explain the situation to them? They might be able to refund it due to the error.

Yes, it was taken back. They said it was unfair I had to pay twice and I should complain to the GP. GP surgery just washed their hands of it and said it wasn't their problem as I didn't pay them.

I would email the practice manager, and I am sure they will arrange to refund you the prescription charge. The error was with the surgery and hopefully it has already been recorded as an incident, so it should be straightforward.

Well done for spotting the contraindication - so many of us don't bother reading the insert (including me sometimes).

I had similar and had to make a formal complaint to the practice. They did offer to pay me the charge but it took a lot of back and forth. I really argued thé point that I shouldn’t have to take the financial burden of a professional’s mistake, and that the practice should have a contingency in place. I also mentioned taking the compliant further as the wrong medicine would have had adverse consequences for me. They should be paying you off to shut you up! Think that’s why they settled with me.

The only reason they don't just refund you without argument is because it is a surprisingly tedious pain in the arse to just pay someone £9.65, so they would prefer you just to go away without making them do it. But if you make clear that you want the money they will sigh and sort something out.