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Original poster

Do doctors get more revenue for prescribing statins ?

24 replies

Eggshausted · 02/04/2022 20:07

I just went to order my repeat prescription via the patient access system. When I went to my lists of things I can order, my doctor has added statins to the list of items I can order.I haven’t even stepped foot in the doctors since before the pandemic. I am concerned that with my holiday insurance I haven’t said I am on statins, as I am not! Are statins another thing GP’s can claim extra revenue for, like smear tests and flu jabs. Pretty hacked off, as if I was seriously Ill in hospital they may think I’m on statins from looking at my records. Obviously I didn’t add them to my order, but it’s pretty scary that some other people/carers may just add them to an order, all without tests/consultation.

I would ring my surgery but it takes an hour to get through…

OP posts:

PestorPeston · 02/04/2022 20:15

The new recommendations mean that an additional 4.5 million people could be eligible for statins, helping to prevent up to 28,000 heart attacks and 16,000 strokes each year.
www.nice.org.uk/news/article/nice-recommends-wider-use-of-statins-for-prevention-of-cvd

Are you in an at risk group?
They really should speak to you first.

thecurtainsofdestiny · 02/04/2022 20:18

We're you started on them in hospital?

thecurtainsofdestiny · 02/04/2022 20:18

*were

Autocorrect!

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General health Heart disease

Original poster

Eggshausted · 02/04/2022 20:26

I have never been on them. My worry is that if I was rushed to hospital they would look at my NHS records and see statins on my medications and start giving them to me. I haven’t been to the drs in years, and certainly not going to start taking a medication just because a dr is getting a financial incentive. I am 55 and overweight, but very active, and I do not trust a dr’s judgement when they prescribe drugs to make a bit of money without any consultation or tests. Don’t want to suffer statin side effects just to line their pockets. Thanks for your replies.

OP posts:

pipsy76 · 02/04/2022 20:27

As a pharmacist I can tell you, no your GP is not financially incentivised to prescribe statins to you randomly.

For many patients statins can offer significant protection against strokes and heart attacks.

Prescribing any new medication should be a shared decision making process, you as the patient have the expert knowledge about your situation and your feelings, the GP has the expertise in medicine. You should be able to make an informed decision about whether you wish to take statins after you've discussed the risks and benefits with your GP and talked through the different options to make an informed decision. You will need regular monitoring if you decide to take a statin including blood tests. Please make an appointment to talk this through with whoever has prescribed the statin for you, as this process should have happened first. Best wishes

littlejellyfish · 02/04/2022 20:27

No, there is no financial incentive for statins. Not really sure why they’d have been added without you being informed though.

moonbedazzled · 02/04/2022 20:30

I think they do get some sort of financial benefit but they don't give them without some sort of medical need. I'm 62 and overweight with borderline high cholesterol. I've not been put on them. My sister is normal weight and lower cholesterol but she has other illnesses and they advise she takes them. Same GP surgery.

moonbedazzled · 02/04/2022 20:32

I take back about the financial benefit and apologise about that. I do remember reading that was the case but maybe that was a while ago.

TrufflyPig · 02/04/2022 20:32

Any chance this is an error? You might have a similar name or same DOB as someone else.

Have you asked?

Also a pharmacist and I can assure you the GP is not gaining financially from prescribing statins.

NannyGythaOgg · 02/04/2022 20:42

I certainly wouldn't take them without discussion - and probably not with. There are many experts that say they are great. There are also many that say the exact opposite. I would definitely want to know a lot more about why I as being prescribed them and doing a lot of my own research

EmmaH2022 · 02/04/2022 20:46

@littlejellyfish

No, there is no financial incentive for statins. Not really sure why they’d have been added without you being informed though.

I thought there was Googling brings many articles saying this

Maybe it's changed recently?

TrufflyPig · 02/04/2022 20:56

The funding is complex, they get paid QOF payments which means they get an incentive to provide good care and prevent ill health.

Statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular events for many at risk patients so prescribing them appropriately may fall under thar umbrella but they don't get incentives for specific drugs.

thecurtainsofdestiny · 02/04/2022 21:16

Oh I see. I think with a certain cardiovascular risk level there are financial incentives for GPs to treat with statins a percentage of people who are at or over that risk level.

But no medication should be prescribed without a discussion of risk/benefit with the person whose body it is going into! It is absolutely your choice and should be discussed so that you can make an informed decision.

MissyB1 · 02/04/2022 21:16

I suspect it’s a mistake and they shouldn’t be on your list. I can’t imagine any GP prescribing a drug that the patient hasn’t agreed to starting.

As for a hospital being able to see your GP records- ha ha you vastly overestimate the NHS IT capabilities!

MonthofMondays · 02/04/2022 21:23

We can see selected parts of the GP records, including medicines, the OP is correct.

PinkDaffodil2 · 02/04/2022 21:23

I imagine it’s a mistake - do contact your surgery to find out what happened in case there are other similar cases. Can you see when it was started? Did you have any blood tests or consultations around that time?

TrufflyPig · 02/04/2022 21:24

As for a hospital being able to see your GP records- ha ha you vastly overestimate the NHS IT capabilities!

I can access GP records in my hospital but the pharmacy department will do a medication history if you are admitted and if you say you don't take them it would be questioned. You also have the right to refuse medication as an inpatient provided you have capacity.

TisTheSeasonToBe · 02/04/2022 21:25

No financial interest/recompense at all!

It will be related to your risk factors. Alternatively it may be an accident it has been added.

hihellohihello · 02/04/2022 21:26

I'd write to them or email them about it if you don't want to ring them. They will have to resolve this.

Maggieahelms · 29/03/2024 01:57

Yes, 28000/4500000 means that 1000 people need to be on statins in order for the drug companies to be able to say they saved 7 people from heart attacks. So the other 993 of us are just “dummy” patients so they can earn their promotional claims.

TakeOnFlea · 29/03/2024 02:23

@Maggieahelms any reason you've resurrected a zombie thread other than ridiculous conspiracy theories? 🤪

Pussygaloregalapagos · 29/03/2024 02:28

They are trying to keep us all healthy for longer. Shame really as means so many more will be a longer term drain on the NHS and social care. They should just let us go.

totallybonkerswarning · 29/03/2024 02:31

pipsy76 · 02/04/2022 20:27

As a pharmacist I can tell you, no your GP is not financially incentivised to prescribe statins to you randomly.

For many patients statins can offer significant protection against strokes and heart attacks.

Can't it cause personality changes?

totallybonkerswarning · 29/03/2024 02:32

Oh no someone woke a zombie thread 😭😭

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