On Sun, 4 Oct 1998 23:25:01 +0100
"PETER FELLOWS" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> This is getting repetetive.
..but as the water is so muddy it helps to re-clarify. Thanks for the
reply.
> You may not charge a fee for writing a private prescription except for
> malaria prophylaxis and "just in case" drugs for foreign travel.
but in my case at least I do not charge a prescribing fee for giving a
private Rx
>A test case against a pharmacist in S.Wales, Alan Sharpe, was
> dropped, probably for political reasons. He was apparently supplying the
> drug privately if it was going to cost the patient less than the
> prescription charge, and tearing up the prescription
Ah yes, because the doctor had *intended* the patient to have a NHS Rx
but the pharmacist changed this.Slightly different scenario.
>BMA advice is not to issue private prescriptions
> unless Regulations are changed, or if you do so issue an FP10 at the same
> time. You have no control over what the patient will actually have to pay
> (you may not make arrangements with any particular pharmacy/pharmacies). If
> the patient complains because he is charged more than a prescription
> charge, then
> regardless of the EL, you are technically in breach of Regulations as you
> are required to provide all necessary treatment on the NHS. The HA could
> also
> complain, on behalf of the Treasury, as happened in the Alan Sharpe case. So
> even if the patient signs that he/she insists on a private prescription, you
> are not legally protected, however unlikely an actual complaint would be.
That's the nitty-gritty. I reckon that if my patient insists
even though I was *prepared* to offer a NHS script, I will take my
chances on the likelihood of a complaint.
Also, you mention the phrase _all necessary treatment_.....moot point.
Is Viagra _necessary_? It may be useful, helpful, desirable even, but
would you say it is necessary? This argument could even be extended to
paracetamol, ibuprofen etc for musc. sprains etc..not exactly necessary
treatment as the conditions are self-limiting anyway.
If we do have to prescribe all necessary treatment on the NHS, does that
mean we have to prescribe ibuprofen, say, when the patient does not want
anything, for a condition like OA.? If not, then surely if the patient
insists (here I go again) on their right not to have an NHS Rx then
equally they can insist on their right to a private one, as long as I
don't charge for it?
>
> It's not surprising this is so difficult to
> understand. The whole of the rule book, along with our archaic contract
> needs rewriting ( and repricing)!
Hear hear!
Cheerio,
Graham
'Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at
which one can die.'
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