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| Drug price collusion allegations appalling, says Hunt | Drug price collusion allegations appalling, says Hunt |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Allegations that drug companies offered to collude with chemists to overcharge the NHS for some drugs are "appalling", the health secretary has said. | Allegations that drug companies offered to collude with chemists to overcharge the NHS for some drugs are "appalling", the health secretary has said. |
| A Daily Telegraph report said three pharmaceutical companies discussed ways chemists could bill the NHS for more than they actually spent. | A Daily Telegraph report said three pharmaceutical companies discussed ways chemists could bill the NHS for more than they actually spent. |
| The claims concern so-called "special" prescribed medicines - unlicensed drugs developed for specific patients' needs. | The claims concern so-called "special" prescribed medicines - unlicensed drugs developed for specific patients' needs. |
| NHS Protect said it was investigating the newspaper claims. | NHS Protect said it was investigating the newspaper claims. |
| One of the three companies at the centre of the allegations said it had suspended a member of staff pending an internal review. | |
| The two other firms denied the allegations. | The two other firms denied the allegations. |
| Duplicate invoices | Duplicate invoices |
| UK law allows pharmaceutical companies to develop unlicensed medicines for patients who, for example, are allergic to the licensed version or cannot swallow tablets and need their medication in liquid form. | UK law allows pharmaceutical companies to develop unlicensed medicines for patients who, for example, are allergic to the licensed version or cannot swallow tablets and need their medication in liquid form. |
| When a pharmacist prescribes a special medicine they are reimbursed by the NHS for the cost of the drugs, plus a £20 fee. The NHS has to pay because there is no price tariff for so-called "specials". | When a pharmacist prescribes a special medicine they are reimbursed by the NHS for the cost of the drugs, plus a £20 fee. The NHS has to pay because there is no price tariff for so-called "specials". |
| The market for such drugs in 2010 was worth more than £160m in England. | The market for such drugs in 2010 was worth more than £160m in England. |
| The Telegraph said it sent its journalists to the annual Pharmacy Congress posing as investors looking to set up a chain of chemist shops. | The Telegraph said it sent its journalists to the annual Pharmacy Congress posing as investors looking to set up a chain of chemist shops. |
| Representatives selling "unlicensed specials" for three companies suggested ways pharmacists could cut costs - at the expense of the NHS - if they bought their drugs, the newspaper alleged. | Representatives selling "unlicensed specials" for three companies suggested ways pharmacists could cut costs - at the expense of the NHS - if they bought their drugs, the newspaper alleged. |
| The newspaper says one company told their undercover reporters about a "rebate" scheme, whereby the chemist would inflate their invoice to charge the NHS more than they actually paid for the drug. | The newspaper says one company told their undercover reporters about a "rebate" scheme, whereby the chemist would inflate their invoice to charge the NHS more than they actually paid for the drug. |
| The company said its sales representative had been "over enthusiastic" and denied offering a rebate scheme. | The company said its sales representative had been "over enthusiastic" and denied offering a rebate scheme. |
| Another suggested the company could over-charge the chemist by 50%, but that the pharmacists could then claim the excess back. A spokesman for the firm said a staff member had been suspended and that the "alleged views" expressed did not represent its wider "business practice". | Another suggested the company could over-charge the chemist by 50%, but that the pharmacists could then claim the excess back. A spokesman for the firm said a staff member had been suspended and that the "alleged views" expressed did not represent its wider "business practice". |
| A third company offered to provide "duplicate invoices" - a practice which a sales representative said could be described as "slightly perhaps underhand", according to the Telegraph. | A third company offered to provide "duplicate invoices" - a practice which a sales representative said could be described as "slightly perhaps underhand", according to the Telegraph. |
| The company said the suggestion that it supplied such invoices was "totally inaccurate". | The company said the suggestion that it supplied such invoices was "totally inaccurate". |
| A Department of Health spokeswoman said Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt found the allegations "appalling" but that any fraud investigation was a matter for NHS Protect. | A Department of Health spokeswoman said Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt found the allegations "appalling" but that any fraud investigation was a matter for NHS Protect. |
| A spokesman for the organisation, which investigates crime inside the health service, said it was looking at the claims and any allegations of fraud would be investigated. | A spokesman for the organisation, which investigates crime inside the health service, said it was looking at the claims and any allegations of fraud would be investigated. |