From October 5, pharmacies in England and Wales will be expected to extend point of dispensing checks on prescription charge exemption to people claiming exemption on age grounds or because they receive working families tax credit or disabled person’s tax credit. People who are unable to prove their entitlement will still be allowed to have their prescriptions dispensed free of charge, but their failure to provide proof of exemption will have to be noted on the prescription form. Such forms might be followed up by the authorities to determine whether the exemption claim was valid or fraudulent.
Health circular HSC 1999/209 (Countering fraud in the NHS), issued on September 17, says that pharmacies have been sent replacement pages for their guides on prescription exemption.
The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment (No 2) Regulations 1999, SI 1999 No 2563. HM Stationery Office, ISBN 0-11-085255-9, price £1.50.