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?

I’ve never heard of a NHS gp giving a private prescription. Sounds bonkers.

I am prescribed an item with a double prescription charge (NHS) and would be happy just to pay the single charge, but knowing the cost of the item on a private prescription I don't moan.

The point of having a group system is that some people pay more for the prescription than the drug costs (say some simple anti-biotics) and some pay much less (chemo), of course the dispensing charges for any prescription add to the cost. Overun, the NHS is under a huge strain at the moment, I don't think moaning about a prescription charge that equates to little more than lunch in Pret is worth it if you and your family want to be able to benefit from expensive treatments such as neonatal care, oncology, heart surgery etc. in the future. You may have private health care too, but if you were to collapse in the street, you would be taken to an NHS hospital by ambulance whoever you are.

I've been offered it and declined actually. Cos, you know, I can afford to pay (sounds like you can too) and I have morals (sounds like you don't!)

Don't judge everybody by your own standards!

I have never heard of this

I did get a private prescription once for fertility medication

My prescriptions are free so maybe i shouldn't comment

But im going to...i think its bang out of order complaining because 'he pays too much' tax

I think it is defrauding the NHS

I bet if you were offered it you’d take it!

Never happen, partly because my husband isnt a complete twat and partyly because my doctor isnt defrauding the NHS

My gp would charge £20 for writing the prescription, and then the pharmacy £10+ for dispensing and supplying the prescription.

Paying tax has nothing to do with private prescriptions, and doesn't entitle you o them.

Never heard of this! Is it legal for an NHS GP to do that?

If your DH pays 'a ridiculous amount of tax' he can afford the NHS prescription charge which is not a tax.

Your husband pays lots of tax so he should be able to knock a few quid off his infrequent (and under a tenner) medical costs here?

for you.

If you want a private prescription, I would encourage you to see a private GP. There are loads of them around, very easy to make an appointment, they are open quite long, very work friendly hour.

What is not to like?

The £90 fee finally

But it will be tots worth it for the cheaper prescription

(Disclaimer...thats how much it cost me last time i went private)

I'm not surprised that the NHS has put a stop to that , it's ridiculous . I would suggest neat time your dh needs a GP he uses push doctor or similar then he can get what he wants . Fwiw my last private prescription ( 2 weeks ago) cost me £79.99 for a weeks supply of a new drug for me , fortunately my lovely GP then gave me an NHS prescription to carry on after the week .

The only private prescriptions we generate are for sildenafil (viagra). The NHS only allows 4 tablets a month for erectile dysfunction but patients are able to have more by having a private prescription. They are charged for the script and charged by the pharmacy for the medication.

Having a private script issued by a NHS GP for anything else which is cheaper than having a NHS script is fraud.

NHS guidance now states that any treatment must be totally private or totally NHS so you cannot mix the two any more. GPs have been told they should not do issue private presfriptions unless they have seen the patient privately so his GP is doing the right thing

The prescription charge is not just a charge for the medication but is defined as a contribution to the NHS to cover the cost of the medication along with consultation, any testing, NHS staff time, etc

All the Scottish folk keeping there mouth shut! ( I'm one) .... sneaks back out

really Just as a point of interest the rules have also been changed so no nursery, school or childcare provider needs medication to come from a GP. It is now specified that medicines which can be bought over the counter can be administered as long as they have written permission from the parent so the only ones that need a prescription now are those that have to be prescribed

I wouldn't take a private prescription either. Not that I knew you could!

I'm entitled to free prescriptions. However o buy my strong co codamol OTC instead of prescription I could get.

I also buy ds painkillers and senna otc (use his dla) despite him being entitled to prescription.

One of the items my husband has been prescribed costs 12p via a private prescription. I don’t believe those who say they would actually willingly pay £8.60 instead.

I’ve been in a situation where I had very little money but somehow not little enough to qualify for free prescriptions. I just couldn’t afford to be ill. In that situation when the GP asks you if you pay for your prescriptions and gives you a cheaper alternative you are really grateful. Some of you are being very judgmental and fooling nobody of course you would choose the much cheaper option if offered.

Xotic

When I was working I got a BNF twice a year and I am sure it had a specific section, near the back and about three pages long, with drugs that would cost less over the counter than the prescription charge but would need a private note from GP or, in my case, hospital doctor. We were also constained that could only give a fortnight supply on discharge and the patient would have to get further from GP but I could write request for say three months on a piece of headed paper and the patient would pay double NHS cost plus one private charge from pharmacist on discharge. I retired over five years ago so rules may have changed but if I could save a patient even a couple of pounds then I thought that was my duty to the patient.

As a complete aside I recently bought a packet of ibuprofen (generic Neurofen) and a tube of smarties. The smarties cost more per sweetie than the ibuprofen.

I’m a gp and we aren’t allowed to prescribe privately for our nhs patients.
I don’t know when that became a rule but it’s been the case as long as I’ve been a GP - not that long but several years.

That said, I’ve only ever come across it as an issue where patients have wanted an expensive medicine and have offered to pay for it to save the nhs money. Never ever has anyone asked for a private script to avoid paying the nhs prescription charge...

Again, I have been offered it and have declined it.

The prescription charge is my contribution to the treatment that the NHS is providing me.

Stop saying that everybody would pay the lower price if they could, it's just not true.

You've come across really badly on this thread.

One of the items my husband has been prescribed costs 12p via a private prescription. I don’t believe those who say they would actually willingly pay £8.60 instead.

How dare you assume what I would or would not happily pay. If I pay £8.60 for a 12p drug this time, next time it could mean £8.60 for a £150 drug. Its how the system works, I am grateful that it is there, if everyone had your attitude it would be in a far worse financial state than it currently is.

If you want a private prescription then pay for the private gp appointment that goes with it. It’s aopalling to use the nhs for the appointment but get a private prescription because it’s cheaoer.

I’m glad your gp isn’t doing it any more.

My husband pays a ridiculous amount of tax so why should he be penalised again?

why is he penalised again? What is he penalised for in the first place?

Also, are you suggesting that those on low incomes should pay more for their prescription?

OP your logic is identical to that of the benefit cheat who lies about circumstances to get more money, or the insurance fraudster who lies about the items stolen in a burglary or the amount of pain I'm their back after a car accident in order to make a profit. You want to believe that everyone would do the same given the chance so that you can be better off than you would be if you followed the rules, telling yourself that everyone does it or would if they could to ensure you don't feel guilty about your dishonesty.

No. You are lying to yourself. Actually most people are honest and your dishonesty (in this case prompted and encouraged by a GP who should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves) is the same as stealing from the rest of us.