to think that if I'm trying to save the NHS money, that's a good thing

[snickersnack]

Took ds to the GP this morning with a very high temp. Doctor said to give him 7ml of paracetamol and 3.5ml of nurofen, and gave me a prescription for both. By this point the money on the parking meter had nearly expired so ds and I dashed into the chemist where I explained that I didnt need the prescription making up as we've got gallons of both at home, but I did need a syringe as there was no way I could measure 7ml with a spoon.

Chemist said fine, but if you just want a syringe it's 90p, or I can make up the prescription and give you a syringe for free with it. My bag was in the car with my purse, and I was about to get a parking ticket, so explained that I didn't want to waste his time and mine (as the waiting time for getting the prescriptions made up was 20 minutes) and NHS money so couldn't he please just pretend that he had given me the medicines and give me the syringe. No - apparently that wasn't possible, so a feverish ds and I had to dash back to the car in the pouring rain to scrabble around for enough change to pay for the arsing syringe, ask the traffic warden very nicely to wait 5 mins, then run back to the chemist to pay for said syringe.

Madness, I tell you. I can have medicine I don't need and a free syringe, or no medicine and a paid-for syringe.

Oh come on, you can't seriously expect a pharmacist to commit fraud by pretending he has dispensed medicine when he hasn't?

I am afraid YABU. The rules are that you either get a prescription which includes a syringe, or you 'go private' and buy your own syringe.

That is crazy.

Worse is when you get a prescription for something you could buy over the counter for less (not for DCs obviously, for people who have to pay for prescriptions).

I've seen kind pharmacy staff trying very hard to explain to people that if they go to the medicine-buying counter and ask for the medicine there they can get it cheaper than going to the precription counter (in a big Boots store where they are separate) and paying the prescription charge.

nurofen comes with a syringe. I didnlt even get a prescripition for my 11yr odl yesterday - £11.50 later

I'd guess the rules pharmacists have to follow are rigid, and enforced.

I totally sympathise but YpABU really to think they can make an exception.

I did this once and the very nice pharmasist gave me a free syringe because it was for a child. I must have got lucky.

You weren't trying to save the NHS money - you were trying to save yourself time and money! A pharmacist can't 'pretend' they've given out medications - no matter of what sort!

I didn't expect him to pretend to anyone other than me that he was giving me medicine - certainly wasn't expecting him to commit fraud. I didn't word that very well. I just wanted him to give me a syringe as he would have done if he'd dispensed the medicine. Which I didn't want or need. I thought when I waved the prescription at him and said I don't need anything on here, but please could I have a syringe he'd think "that sounds sensible" and give me one. I was wrong. I accept IABU.

why on earth would you want to turn down free calpol and nurofen when you have children who will need it in the future anyway???

insanity!

oh, and YABU with regards to the syringe issue. he has to pay for the syringe still if he has to buy them in!

YANBU and 90p is extorsion for a shitty plastic syringe. I've paid between 10 and 25c for them - we go through a lot with DDs medication

if he gave you a packet of medicine cum syringe on prescription he will be reimbursed out of NHS money- but only if he gives you what the prescription was for

if he gives you a spare syringe, he will have to pay for it

The trouble is, is that chemists are not part of NHS. They are independant contractors who happen to provide an NHS service.

He wouldnt give you the syringe cos it would have come out of HIS money, whereas the items on a script he is reimbursed for by the PPSA. He also probably couldnt open a pack and take something out, as he then wouldnt be able to dispense that item.

I think YAB a bit U, but can understand you were frustrated and irritated and fed up.

Hope DS gets better

Why didn't you just tell the doctor you have both at home, that would have saved money, now you'll be in the prescribed but not dispensed category, as made as making an appointment and not turning up!

Yabu to leave your purse and bag in the car, who does that these days?

YANBU. It's not the pharmacist's fault, but the system is definitely at fault somewhere. It is things like this that are wasting millions on the NHS. They should have a 'common sense officer' who looks out for ridiculous situations like this.

so you didn't want to pay for your parking or a syringe?
yabu

I work in a pharmacy and am always giving the little spoons/syringes out for free

Its curtesy as far as im concerned.

Bugger the costs - do you realise how much pharmacists get paid?!

Let alone locum pharmacists who get petrol paid aswell.

YANBU

Having worked as a dispenser I can tell you that they have hundereds of those syringes lying around. They cost a couple of pence and are often given free with orders anyway.

Bloody ridiculous, I would be too.