Ok, so, I moved to England about 6 weeks ago and until now have gotten all of my prescriptions in Scotland, which is free. I took my repeat prescription to my local pharmacy here in England and the pharmacist took it with no problems, even offering to organise the drugs into a segmented tray (with morning/afternoon/evening sections - called a 'dosset box') which I was very happy to agree to as it's something I do at home anyway and so it would save me a lot of time and effort! She then told me that they would send me a text when it was ready to collect. Happy with the arrangement, I left.
I get the text today, while I am out on placement from my university, but decide to collect the prescription on my way home. Approaching the counter, I tell the pharmacist (different to the one I saw before) that I have to collect some medications. I give her my name and wait as she goes to look. She finds it quickly and brings it back to the counter. Then, the conversation goes as follows:
Pharmacist: Why did you want them in a dosset box? Can you not do this yourself?
Me: I can, but it saves me a lot of time if I have them arranged for me, plus, the other pharmacist offered to do it like that
Pharmacist: Hmm. Do you pay for your prescriptions?
Me: I'm not sure - I have just moved from Scotland where prescriptions are free, so I don't know if I have to pay now or not?
*Pharmacist then gets me to read the categories on the back of the sheet to see if I have to pay or not*
Me: I don't fall into any of those categories...
Pharmacist: Okay, then it will be £xx.xx (can't remember the total, but it was a lot!)
Me: Is there not a prepaid option which would work out cheaper?
Pharmacist: *sigh* Do you get all these drugs every month?
Me: Yes
Pharmacist: ALL of them?
Me: Yes, all of them
Pharmacist: Is your asthma not well controlled?
Me: (Thinking: count the number of asthma meds on the prescription - does it look like I'm well-controlled?!?!) No, it's not
Pharmacist: And they make your heartbeat go faster
Me: Yes
Pharmacist: Is that why you take the Venlafaxine?
Me: No
Pharmacist: Oh, what else is wrong with you?
DOES IT F******G MATTER??? Give me the bloody meds, or give me the prescription and I will go elsewhere!!! Turns out, I have to apply for the prepaid certificate online, so at the end of it all, I was given nothing and I have to go back tomorrow! I really thought I was doing well having moved house on my own and suffering terrible home-sickness since I don't know anyone here, but this has really thrown me!
Anyway, rant over. Thanks for listening