Prescription for pain, angst and 'silly old buggers'

"Where is the other prescription," I asked. (The two scripts had been joined together).

"I don't know, that's all they gave me…"

So I phoned the pharmacy and spoke to a young woman who told me initially the woman who had dispensed was on a lunch break but there was no other prescription.

I insisted there was and repeated the doctor's instructions so she put me on hold for about 10 minutes before coming back:

"Yes, there is a second prescription but if you want that dispensed it will cost $20, not the $7.70 concessional fee you paid for the first one."

"Well can I just come and pick it then and I'll decide if I need to get it filled."

"No, you will still have to pay $20."

"Even without the extra tablets?"

"Yes!"

"Well, that sounds very strange." (I could have said a lot more, but I bit my tongue).

"Well, that's just the way it is." (Implied - it's your problem, not mine). Bye.

After sitting and stewing and recounting the conversation to my wife, I decided to phone the hospital and tell them what had just happened.