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Doc Martin fans call out ITV for Portwenn prescriptions ‘blunder’

Another reason to move to Cornwall

Fans of Doc Martin have called ITV out for making prescription prices on the drama too “cheap”.

In the fifth episode of the new series, which aired last night (23.10.19), the doc (Martin Clunes) had to see to the victim of a shooting.

Robert Brooke (played by Hollywood star Danny Huston) had to get his wound checked over again and was told: “That’s healing well, I’ll take out the drain.”

Danny Huston
Actor Danny Huston plays Robert Brooke (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Doc Martin brings back character after 13-year absence

The doctor asked how he was feeling and when Robert said his abdominal pain had got worse, the doc insisted on taking his bloods and doing an ultrasound.

As the scan showed dark areas, little pouches in the intestine that had become inflamed, Martin prescribed antibiotics metronidazole and co-amoxiclav.

Robert borrowed some cash from PC Joe Penhale (John Marquez) when he saw him to talk about the shooting and then went on to Sally’s pharmacy.

Prescription charges are cheap in Portwenn.

He handed her the prescription and she said: “Oh, you’re the one who was shot? Most of us round here don’t approve of shootin’ strangers…”

Robert also wanted to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste, so she added them to the purchase and informed him: “£11.90 please.”

But viewers took to Twitter to claim that £11.90 was in no way a realistic amount to charge for the medicine plus the other items, and pointed out that it should cost more.

One joked, using a laughing-crying emoji: “Prescription charges are cheap in Portwenn. Two prescribed items and two shop items for £11.90. It’s a gorgeous place and cheap if you’re ill #docmartin.”

https://twitter.com/allankent1975/status/1187106112543350785

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Another, tweeting directly to ITV, wrote: “Can you make sure #DocMartin’s Portwenn pharmacy reflects current law? A prescription for two items should cost £18, not £11.90 including a toothbrush.”

Someone replied: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an FP10 on Doc Martin (could be wrong) so I always assumed he wrote private rx. I know amoxicillin on a private is £2, but he prescribed metronidazole and another (that I’ve already forgotten). I want to say they’d both be under £9 each though. Maybe.”

ED! has contacted ITV for comment.

– Doc Martin series nine continues on Wednesday (30.10.19) at 9pm on ITV

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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