The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7325 p713-714
13 November 2004
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| · New contract |
Boots the ChemistsAn inducement to obtain a prescription?From Mr M. H. Franks, MRPharmS I have had three patients bring in vouchers from Boots The Chemists offering 250 points (equivalent to £2.50) if they sign up to the Boots prescription collection service. I was under the impression that it was unprofessional to offer an inducement to obtain a prescription and also against the NHS terms of service. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has informed me that the professional requirements were removed when resale price maintenance was abolished and only primary care trusts can take action against terms of service complaints. Since an individual complaint has to be made to each PCT, no doubt Boots thinks that by the time a complaint is investigated and brought to a terms of service hearing enough people will have signed up to make any fine insignificant to the profit made out of the service. As a pharmacy under the 2,000 items per month limit for the new annual establishment fee, I believe the new contract is not in my interest. However, those dispensing above 2,000 items may believe it is in their interest. With this cynical action by Boots, those doing above 2,000 items may well find that, in a short period, their numbers drop below the comfort zone of 2,000. We should all think twice before voting because this action by Boots to obtain more prescriptions could have dire consequences for smaller pharmacies doing fewer than 3,000 items per month.
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