PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Prescriptions: Pregnancy (23 February 2015)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many fines have been issued for claiming free prescriptions without a valid maternity exemption certificate since the NHS Business Services Authority began checking eligibility for free prescriptions.

Asked by:
Lisa Nandy (Labour)

The Prescription Exemption Checking Service is delivered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) as commissioned by NHS England. NHSBSA assumed the responsibility for this service from 17 September 2014.

From 17 September 2014 to 20 February 2015 a total of 13,779 patients have paid a penalty charge in full for claiming free prescriptions without a valid exemption certificate with a further 5,504 patients opting to pay the penalty charge in instalments.

From 17 September 2014 to 20 February 2015 a total of 610 patients have paid a penalty charge in full for claiming free prescriptions without a valid maternity exemption certificate with a further 474 patients opting to pay the penalty charge in instalments.

Data is not available to indicate the number of diabetic patients who have been fined.

Answered by:
George Freeman (Conservative)
2 March 2015