NHS being 'ripped' off by greedy businesses for drugs specials

GREEDY businesses are taking the cash-starved NHS to the cleaners by vastly overcharging for medical products.

drugs Getty

SCANDAL: Prices of specials are not regulated, leaving the NHS with a £50million bill

One High Street giant charged £1,579 for a tub of moisturiser that was sold elsewhere for £1.73.

The shocking example is among thousands where the NHS has been “ripped off” for drugs called specials, which are custom-made for patients and non-standard medicines.

Prices of specials are not regulated, so suppliers are free to set them – leaving the NHS with a £50million bill.

The NHS only records the name of the chemist dispensing the drug and not the manufacturer, so it cannot monitor which suppliers inflate fees.

“Specials are being exploited as a loophole”
Claire Parker

Claire Parker, chief officer at Sandwell and Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Specials are being exploited as a loophole.

“Effectively, these companies can just charge what they like.”

The law is being changed in April so the supplier’s details will also be recorded.

NHS England added: “If companies harm patients and taxpayers by unfairly and inappropriately hiking drug prices they should expect vigorous regulatory and legal enforcement action.”

NHS being 'ripped' off by greedy businesses for drugs specials

GREEDY businesses are taking the cash-starved NHS to the cleaners by vastly overcharging for medical products.

drugs Getty

SCANDAL: Prices of specials are not regulated, leaving the NHS with a £50million bill

One High Street giant charged £1,579 for a tub of moisturiser that was sold elsewhere for £1.73.

The shocking example is among thousands where the NHS has been “ripped off” for drugs called specials, which are custom-made for patients and non-standard medicines.

Prices of specials are not regulated, so suppliers are free to set them – leaving the NHS with a £50million bill.

The NHS only records the name of the chemist dispensing the drug and not the manufacturer, so it cannot monitor which suppliers inflate fees.

“Specials are being exploited as a loophole”
Claire Parker

Claire Parker, chief officer at Sandwell and Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Specials are being exploited as a loophole.

“Effectively, these companies can just charge what they like.”

The law is being changed in April so the supplier’s details will also be recorded.

NHS England added: “If companies harm patients and taxpayers by unfairly and inappropriately hiking drug prices they should expect vigorous regulatory and legal enforcement action.”

NHS being 'ripped' off by greedy businesses for drugs specials

GREEDY businesses are taking the cash-starved NHS to the cleaners by vastly overcharging for medical products.

drugs Getty

SCANDAL: Prices of specials are not regulated, leaving the NHS with a £50million bill

One High Street giant charged £1,579 for a tub of moisturiser that was sold elsewhere for £1.73.

The shocking example is among thousands where the NHS has been “ripped off” for drugs called specials, which are custom-made for patients and non-standard medicines.

Prices of specials are not regulated, so suppliers are free to set them – leaving the NHS with a £50million bill.

The NHS only records the name of the chemist dispensing the drug and not the manufacturer, so it cannot monitor which suppliers inflate fees.

“Specials are being exploited as a loophole”
Claire Parker

Claire Parker, chief officer at Sandwell and Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Specials are being exploited as a loophole.

“Effectively, these companies can just charge what they like.”

The law is being changed in April so the supplier’s details will also be recorded.

NHS England added: “If companies harm patients and taxpayers by unfairly and inappropriately hiking drug prices they should expect vigorous regulatory and legal enforcement action.”