GP refusing to give private prescription

[overun]

My husband visited the GP today and was prescribed 2 items. He explained how he was no longer allowed to give a private prescription as it was seen as defrauding the NHS! My husband pays a ridiculous amount of tax so why should he be penalised again? Anyone else had this happen?

[Ginfiend]

What’s the objection in receiving an nhs prescription??

[BritInUS1]

I don't understand, why does he not want an NHS prescription?

[ooerrmissus]

None of your post makes any sense.

[GnomeDePlume]

I am afraid it is just one of those things. I have to take a daily medication which costs pence but I have to pay the prescription charge for it.

If your DH has a number prescriptions each year then it might be worth getting a pre-pay certificate. If he has more than one prescription per month then it is worth it.

[LaGattaNera]

Often items are cheaper than the £8.40 NHS prescription charge but only available with a prescription hence private PX works out as a saving compared to £16.80 as items are charged at their retail price which could be pence or just a few pounds

[Sirzy]

So he saw an NHS GP, in NHS time but wanted a private prescription? Presumably to save himself money?

[GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough]

Can he purchase the items over the counter?

[Fairylea]

I’m confused What is a private prescription issued by an nhs doctor?

[LadyLapsang]

Did he consult the GP as an NHS patient? Surely if he wants a private prescription he would consult a private GP and pay accordingly. Does the GP believe the item your husband would like to be prescribed to be clinically necessary?

[overun]

My husband has been to see the GP less than 3 times in the last 5yrs. Each time he was given a white private prescription because it was much cheaper than the NHS one.

[Petalflowers]

Also confused. Nhs doctors can write private prescriptions, but often put a surcharge on as it's outside tor the nhs contract, so the surcharge is for their time etc.

Also, doesn't the pharmacy charge for dispensing private prescription so? This is often above the NHS cost.

Can you explain more about what happened.

[Petalflowers]

your husband was perhaps,fortunate he didn't get charged for a private appointment.

[Sirzy]

Surely you can see why the NHS don’t want GPs doing that?

[NorthernLurker]

Your husband is out of order. You use NHS services, you pay NHS charges. I suggest he finds a private gp if he wants to pay the actual cost. Of course that bites both ways, as he will find.

[overun]

I can see exactly why the NHS do this, but it has never been a problem before. I have been asked by the GP If I have to pay for my prescriptions and given a cheaper private prescription. The first time this happened I was confused and thought I’d be charged for the Gp’s time but this never happened. There can be a huge difference in prices of items bought privately and NHS prescribed.

[hippyhippyshake]

Failing to see the tax connection Are you saying that poorer people should pay more for their prescriptions?

[Sirzy]

Sounds like your GP has been told off for doing it then! And rightly so

[Pennywhistle]

If your DH has been so infrequently to the GP and pays enough tax that you think it’s worth moaning about just cough up the full prescription charge.

And yes it is defeating the purpose of the NHS system to give you a private script.

[StealingYourWiFi]

If you want to pay cost price at pharmacy using a private prescription then you'll have to see a private GP.

[nancy75]

I thought a private prescription was about £20 compared to NHS which is about £8? I’m confused

[hiyasminitsme]

The rules on this are open to interpretation and your GP could indeed be accused if fraud for doing it so they are quite correct to refuse.

[overun]

We have actually never asked for the (cheaper) private prescriptions. It’s always been at the GP’s suggestion. Seems the rules have changed. I was enquiring here to see if anyone else had experienced this?

[Ginfiend]

Tell your husband to get a grip.
Something like only 1 in 5 prescriptions are actually charged for in England, the rest are for people that are exempt in some way.
We are so so so lucky that we are able to get expensive drugs for just £8.40
(Or £10.40 per month if you have a yearly PPC)
I bet if your husband needed expensive drugs he’d be very quick to take an NHS prescription rather than ask for a private one.
If he’s a high earner, £16.80 a month is not going to break the bank is it?

[GnomeDePlume]

Think of it as a tax. If you can afford to pay it then you suck it up. Many medicines are cheaper than the prescription charge but there are many which arent. Think of it as averaging things out. You over pay on the cheap things but get it back on the expensive things.

[Ginfiend]

No. You weren’t just asking if anyone had experienced it. You were moaning that they now weren’t available to you and trying to justify access to them as your husband pays lots of tax so is apparently being penalised, being forced to pay the standard prescription charge.... like the rest of us!