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

[TutTutTutSigh]

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?

The pharmacist or the person at the till?

Yes, I would expect the pharmacist to know this, but then, does their degree cover what things are exempt and was it a qualified pharmacist you were speaking to? Isn't there a tick box on the script to tick which exception applies, so you could have showed him that.

When I started IVF, I was prescribed 2week of the pill to regular my cycle to match their dates, but I was charged for the meds. I pointed out that it was a contraception, but he said that it wasn't being used as a contraception so I had to be charged. 😕

Although is the contraception is used for skin problems, I think there’s still a charge?

He was the only person I saw and he brought the prescription out so I presume he was a pharmacist? Regardless if he's working there I would expect him to know.

I didn't have a paper script, it goes digitally and he didn't have the paper version or I would have ticked the box.

It's the depo injection, not sure if it has other uses.. it certainly doesn't help my skin, I wish it did!

The pharmacists don’t work at the counter in my pharmacy, they’re in the back.

If he didn't have the script and the medicine was already bagged up how was he to know what you were collecting?

Edited to add, I assume his 'I don't know' was that he didn't know what was in the bag.

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?

Probably not the pharmacist and Probably new to the job everyone has to start and learn from somewhere

Yes he should know. Raise it.

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

My golden rule is when I find one mistake, I ask where the others are.

However I'd make sure it was a pharmacist, not an assistant who may not have the qualifications.

Contraception is not chargeable on the NHS.
However some of the contraceptive drugs have other uses and therefore are chargeable in certain cases, very few though but still if you are a new patient the pharmacist will always ask to avoid fines further down the line.

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

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.

It wasn't the pharmacist. You can't expect other shop workers to know what the medication is.

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

What, I use conception for the same reason, my GP knows why I use it and that I don't personally need conception. I have never had to pay for conception no matter what I've been using it for.

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

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

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

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

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

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