This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
‘Check before you tick’ advice for free prescriptions
NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority have launched a nationwide campaign to help people understand their eligibility for free prescriptions.
The ‘Check Before You Tick’ initiative encourages patients to check whether they are entitled to free prescriptions before claiming them, in a bid to help reduce the £256 million cost per year to the NHS when people incorrectly claim them for free.
As part of this, pharmacists will be provided with a communications toolkit, posters, and point of sale materials to display in their pharmacy to explain the rules, while patients will be able to access a new online tool to help everyone to understand the government’s eligibility criteria for free prescriptions.
Patients are entitled to free prescriptions if they are under 16 years old or 16, 17 or 18 and in full time education, or over 60. However, anyone incorrectly claiming a free prescription risks a penalty charge of up to £100 from the NHS Business Services Authority.
Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for NHS England said: “Free prescriptions ensure that at-risk groups of people get the medication they need, but it’s crucial that this support also offers best value for taxpayers. Pharmacy teams are at the front-line in helping people understand the criteria for free prescriptions, and because mistaken claims place an extra cost burden on the NHS, it’s important that patients, carers and pharmacists know how and when they can make a claim.”
Alison O’Brien, head of Loss Recovery Services for NHS Business Services Authority, added: “The NHS loses millions each year through fraudulent and incorrect claims for free prescriptions. On behalf of NHS England, the NHS Business Services Authority checks claims randomly and retrospectively in order to appropriately recover funds and return them to NHS services. We encourage all patients to check their entitlement before claiming free prescriptions and our online tool provides support to understand if they are eligible.”
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