Walk through any town centre and there will be flyers advertising all kind of products. On his way home from work Alex was handed a flyer claiming private medication cost less than buying it from the NHS. He decided to #AskForEvidence
Livi - an app that allows you to have video GP appointments claimed on a flyer that "many types of medication will cost less when purchased privately"
On a flyer I was handed outside a train station.
I emailed the company whilst on the bus home.
Hello Alex,
Many thanks for getting in touch with your question.
The reason why many types of medication will cost less when purchased privately in England is due to the way NHS charges a fixed price of £8.80 for each individual item on a prescription. This means that there are many cases where it is cheaper for a patient to buy medication privately rather than through NHS prescription.
I've included an illustrative example of some commonly prescribed medications below.
Aqueous Cream B.P - 500ml
Private purchase price £3.59
NHS Prescription price £8.80
Live price-check, Boots: https://www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-aqueous-cream-b-p-500ml-10115225
Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment - 15 g
Private purchase price £3.49
NHS Prescription price £8.80
Live price-check, Boots: https://www.boots.com/boots-derma-care-hydrocortisone-ointment-15-g-10033239
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Chris
Unhappy. I understand their reasoning but what if a product is over £8.80? Also, saying "there are many cases" and then providing two examples of a cream isn't enough to back up your claim.
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