At 23:11 27/11/2004, you wrote:
>Julian,
> > As far as I know it's not been to GMC, and I can't see any reason that it
> > would unless GPs were receiving some kind of a kick back
>So it's OK for a GP to collude in "fraud" provided they don't receive any
>kick back?
>
>Regards
>
>Jeff
Jeff,
There are two views of the GPs role, one might be co-conspirator, colluding
in a fraud, the other is as victim.
If you think the former then I guess the GMC might take an interest.
I'm not sure though that this is entirely different to the sick note game,
which can result in fraudulent claiming for sickness benefit from state or
employer, which a GP may suspect but not _know_.
The government might criticize GPs for being sympathetic, but the reality
is that GPs are an easy target for those who wish to exploit goodwill (and
sometimes a degree of more conscious realpolitik).
In any case one cannot get away from the reality that it is pharmacies who
are getting extra money, and unless they're paying overtime or employing
additional staff, this is almost entirely extra profit. FWIW I hope that a
debate like this can be a heads up to pharmacists because although I think
demanding weekly prescriptions to provide and restock dosette boxes is
wrong I suspect many pharmacists have done this without conscious greed or
malice and if it ends up going to a test case I guess someone will get hurt.
Julian
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