How are prescriptions checked?

robfosters

robfosters

robfosters

Caporegime
Joined
1 Dec 2010
Posts
53,766
Location
Welling, London
I already get free prescriptions so it's not me, but a friend just came round saying she had to go and get and get her prescription. She has numerous ailments and there was 6 items on it.

I said "Wow, that's nearly £50" She responded "Yeah, but I just tick the box and get them for free"

I was taken aback but didn't feel right in admonishing her seeing as I get free prescriptions.

But got me thinking. How are fraudulent prescriptions weeded out as I have known a few people do it and no-ones ever been caught. How much are fraudulent prescription costs, costing the NHS?
 
I'm surprised, I'd have thought you'd have to show something to prove you're entitled to get them for free.
 
i know that if you're on benefits then you have to put in your national insurance number when you sign it. i don't know how they check other exemptions.
 
I was on income support for a short time, and also had to get prescriptions. All I had to do was tick the box and that was it. Nothing else. I imagine they check a tiny percentage at random, centrally, but it'll be very easy to abuse.

This was in the weird time when we had to pay for prescriptions.
 
I pre-pay for mine, and have never been asked to produce my card to prove. Hopefully it catches up with those that defraud the NHS.
 
That's truly taking the mick just ticking it to get £50 for free wen your not entitled to it. That's todays society though with the "ill do what I want " attitude :mad:
My mum used to work on a pharmacy and sadly they only check a small percentage of them. She only knew of one guy who got caught and having been doing it for ages he got a 1k fine!
Makes me feel like a mug for paying prescriptions and dentists check ups wen most people just lie and get it for free.
 
Ahleckz said:
I was on income support for a short time, and also had to get prescriptions. All I had to do was tick the box and that was it. Nothing else. I imagine they check a tiny percentage at random, centrally, but it'll be very easy to abuse.

This was in the weird time when we had to pay for prescriptions.
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I wouldn't mind paying a bit, but £8+ which it is now is completely and utterly ridiculous imo.

It should be a flat fee per prescription, not per item.
 
I would have thought there was something behind the scenes checking it...?

No wonder the NHS is in dire straits if there isn't!
 
Dyson said:
Ive always found it bizarre that I've not needed to produce it in over three years - obviously some pharmacies are better than others.
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I only use two or three pharmacies, two local independents and boots..all three want to see my card before filling the prescription.

Maybe I just look shifty!!
 
Do you think that maybe it should be changed so that the prescription states whether it's free or not?

Prescriptions are all printed out now. Surely it wouldn't be too hard to integrate into the database an exemption check without leaving it to the morals of the patient.

That way you have prove to the surgery when you register if you're exempt.
 
If you're entitled to free prescriptions, you're supposed to have a certificate or card (like an HC2). The pharmacy is then supposed to check that certificate (or add it to their system and check that) each time you tick the free box. If they get audited then they get fined and you get done for fraud.

I guess the managers are lazy and no one checks on them.
 
benjii said:
If you're entitled to free prescriptions, you're supposed to have a certificate or card (like an HC2). The pharmacy is then supposed to check that certificate (or add it to their system and check that) each time you tick the free box. If they get audited then they get fined and you get done for fraud.

I guess the managers are lazy and no one checks on them.
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I don't think that you need one if you're on a qualifying benefit.
 
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