I have just fallen foul of this myself.

Pretty much my own fault, but the outcome is harsh.

I thought I had signed up for a PPC to run via DD, but it turns out I just bought a 3 month.

I was going through a befuddled time - hence the need for medication.

I was told it would make things easier so I guess I just took that at face value and stopped worrying about it. The pharmacy never checked mt validity,

7 months later I get a penalty notice for £88 for non-payment 4 months ago.

Having discussed with the NHS, I have the option to backdate a PPC 1 month so I can stop worrying about one of the four other unpaid months (ironically, I just stopped taking one of my two meds so the PPC is actually no longer financially helpful).

Apart from that, they can do nothing about the other 3 months.

I just have to wait and see if I get randomly picked out on the checks.

I wanted to pay for these, even at full price, but no can do.

maybe I picked the wrong time to drop my anxiety med, as this is causing me some concern. It's not just the money, its the sanity of the whole thing.

What if they were 12 months behind on checking?

I would be staring down a potential 4 figure fine over a 12 month period, each month containing the expectancy of another letter fine-bomb.

This kind of thing is enough to bring on further anxiety issues and the need for further NHS help!

I cannot pay for the ones I missed, they are actually missing the money for those.

if I don't get randomly picked for the other months, they get nothing.

This at a time when they are desperate for money.

Yes, I understand it is my responsibility, but those that spout this kind of reaction need to put themselves in the same position and be a bit more empathetic. Negligence of some sort happens to us all at times I am sure, especially when we are not feeling too great about life.

Own thread created..please continue to post here.

Regards

Andy

The pharmacy never checked mt validity,

 

7 months later I get a penalty notice for £88 for non-payment 4 months ago.

You can appeal the PCN here if you meet the grounds to appeal;

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/challenge-penalty-charge-notice

What if they were 12 months behind on checking?

I would be staring down a potential 4 figure fine over a 12 month period, each month containing the expectancy of another letter fine-bomb.

Yes, that can and does happen.

Also check if you qualify for the NHS Low Income Scheme;

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

If so, you may be able to claim backdated prescription costs within the last three months by filling out an HC5 form.