I don't use Eccleshall Pharmacy as a rule so this review is based on a one off visit, and I hope for Eccleshall this is not indicative of the norm. Having taken my prescription there this morning and signed to say I am in possession of a valid prepaid NHS prescription ceritificate the member of staff who served me asked to see evidence of the certificate but I do not carry it with me as the instructions in the letter were that I do not have to do this. I was told that I have to register my card with them if I wish to use them regularly, which I do not, and said this was a one off visit. I was then told they do not know me so how do they know I have one. Clearly the fact I had signed to declare I had was not enough because the member of staff then decided to shout in front of everyone that if I don't have one I could be fined. That is true, you can be, but I do have one and I feel that the response was abusive and effectively calling me a liar. My presciption was finally thrown onto the counter in front of me. I have been back to Pharmacy with my certificate and have received an apology from the pharmacist on duty who agreed the situation had been badly handled,. Sadly the member of staff was not gracious enough to either apologise or indeed accept that they had been offensive in any way.

Reply from Eccleshall Pharmacy
Sat, 16 May 2015 06:01:13 +0100

Thank you for your comments. All Pharmacies have to check proof of exemption as part of their Terms of Service. Anyone failing to provide proof of exemption will be subject to checks by the NHS and may be fined if they haven't one. Regular patients get their exemption status logged so that they do not have to keep providing proof. I am sorry that you felt your integrity was being challenged but we were only doing our job.