The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7334 p105
29 January 2005

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News summary

Pharmacy NHS fraud reporting scheme is hailed a great success

Over 1,000 pharmacists have reported fraudulent prescriptions to the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) since the scheme was revised in February 2003.

The achievement has been marked this week by the presentation of a reward to the pharmacist who made the 1,000th report: Tracy Ellam of Rowlands Pharmacy in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire. Ms Ellam identified a stolen prescription in October and contacted the police immediately. The offender was arrested and four unused stolen prescription forms were found in his pockets.

David Grey, acting head of the CFSMS compliance unit, said: “A total of 1,000 rewards highlights the commitment shown by pharmacists in tackling fraud throughout England and Wales. We now want to push on, and present even more rewards to pharmacists during 2005.”

Pharmacists can claim a £70 reward if they:

· Withhold a fraudulent prescription, notify the local primary care trust (PCT) and police immediately, and contact the CFSMS within seven days
· Report a prescription that has been dispensed but later suspected to be fraudulent to the police, local PCT and CFSMS within 14 days of the incident
· Provide valuable information to any investigation

Sue Sharpe, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, commented: “[This week’s] announcement proves how worthwhile the pharmacy reward scheme has become. Every year the NHS is seeing record reductions in prescription fraud. This is not only due to the overall approach taken by the CFSMS but to the support given by pharmacists around the country.”