Woman wrongly fined for NHS prescription despite paying charge

A woman in Leamington Spa was hit with a penalty by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) — even after she paid for a prescription she was initially told was free.

LM had been wrongly advised by a pharmacy assistant that she was exempt from charges when collecting antibiotics for a post-op infection. When she returned two weeks later, she was told this was incorrect and paid the outstanding fee on the spot.

Despite this, NHSBSA later issued a fine for non-payment, stating her evidence and a supporting letter from her pharmacist were inadmissible. It was only after media intervention that the fine was dropped.

The NHSBSA has since admitted the patient acted promptly and confirmed the penalty has been cancelled.