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Prescription fraud clampdown plan heavily criticised | Prescription fraud clampdown plan heavily criticised |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Pharmacists have heavily criticised plans to strengthen checks at the counter for entitlement to free prescriptions in England. | Pharmacists have heavily criticised plans to strengthen checks at the counter for entitlement to free prescriptions in England. |
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says asking pharmacists to police prescriptions could harm patient trust. | The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says asking pharmacists to police prescriptions could harm patient trust. |
By 2018, a new database will be up-and-running for pharmacists to check before handing over a free prescription. | By 2018, a new database will be up-and-running for pharmacists to check before handing over a free prescription. |
Ministers say these extra checks could save the NHS £150m a year, which will be ploughed back into the NHS. | Ministers say these extra checks could save the NHS £150m a year, which will be ploughed back into the NHS. |
Fraud checks | Fraud checks |
Currently, pharmacists largely rely on people's honesty when dispensing medicines for free. | |
Patients should present an exemption certificate and/or sign the back of the prescription form to say that they are exempt of any charge. | |
The NHS Business Services Authority runs checks, but only after a free prescription has been issued. | The NHS Business Services Authority runs checks, but only after a free prescription has been issued. |
The Department of Health says this is not timely enough, meaning the system can be abused. | The Department of Health says this is not timely enough, meaning the system can be abused. |
An estimated 30m prescription items totalling around £237m are incorrectly claimed each year. | An estimated 30m prescription items totalling around £237m are incorrectly claimed each year. |
Prescriptions in England | Prescriptions in England |
You can get free NHS prescriptions if you are: | You can get free NHS prescriptions if you are: |
You may also be entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner receive certain allowances, such as income support. | You may also be entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner receive certain allowances, such as income support. |
Health Minister Dan Poulter said it was time to get tough on those who avoid paying their fair share towards the NHS. | Health Minister Dan Poulter said it was time to get tough on those who avoid paying their fair share towards the NHS. |
"Claiming a free prescription when you are not entitled takes money away from other frontline patient services, and reduces the amount of money available to spend on patient care." | "Claiming a free prescription when you are not entitled takes money away from other frontline patient services, and reduces the amount of money available to spend on patient care." |
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Dr Keith Ridge said the new measures aimed to strike the right balance between collecting charges and providing care. | Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Dr Keith Ridge said the new measures aimed to strike the right balance between collecting charges and providing care. |
But the body that represents pharmacists in Great Britain, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, says the new system could get in the way of treating patients. | But the body that represents pharmacists in Great Britain, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, says the new system could get in the way of treating patients. |
RPS Board Chair David Branford said: "This move to make pharmacists police the Government's unfair charging system is totally unacceptable to us. | RPS Board Chair David Branford said: "This move to make pharmacists police the Government's unfair charging system is totally unacceptable to us. |
"Our job is to put the needs of vulnerable people first and make sure they get the care they need." | "Our job is to put the needs of vulnerable people first and make sure they get the care they need." |
Around 90% of prescriptions in England are currently dispensed free of charge. | Around 90% of prescriptions in England are currently dispensed free of charge. |
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have scrapped all prescription charges. | Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have scrapped all prescription charges. |
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