Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

I've dug around and the recent news report is focused on huge increases in generic cancer drugs. This isn't just a problem in the UK, it's about drug companies trying to limit supply unless healthcare organisations pay what they want. It's holding healthcare to ransom. Pfizer and Flynn pharma were recently fined £84m for conspiring to rip the NHS off on epilepsy meds. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38233852

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

Truth be told, something really stinks here within the NHS.
Sorry if I seem to sound like a broken record and repeating myself but.......

Yes, the greedy Pharmaceutical companies should hang their heads in shame for plundering precious NHS money, but what on earth is going on with these Health Managers? They are in charge of such an immensely powerful purchasing position with the largest tax-funded organisation in the country, if not Europe. Why are these top men receiving fat-cat salaries for such incompetence? Surely a time for Purchasing to be taken into private hands?

It is a real scandal that they have allowed themselves to be in a position where they have allowed private companies to dictate and demand exorbitant prices for these tablets as if the NHS has a bottomless wallet.

It's no wonder many many of us raise eyebrows when we are forever hearing them then pleading for more money from the government.

Instead of laying the law down with these lazy scroats in charge, we now learn that Jeremy Hunt has kicked into the long grass, hey ho, the idea that all Hospital trusts must ensure those not entitled to use of the NHS paying for their treatments. Apparently, it is because they are too busy concentrating on Brexit at the moment. MMmmmm!!

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

Same here Julie

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

The Italians fined Aspen Five million Euros for holding their health service to ransom over anti cancer drugs for the same reasons. They were threatening to withdraw supplies of much needed medication for very vulnerable patients. Here the NHS paid the inflated tariff because there doesn't seem to be a proper process to address such hikes.

In part this is down to the countless reorganisations and lack of expertise within organisations. A healthcare provider's main concern is to ensure vital cancer drugs are available to patients at all times rather than analyse market prices over a longer period and then haggle.

They have to ensure the drugs being given to patients are from a safe source, meet industry standards and come from a reliable supplier.

The suppliers have them over a barrel because there is no proper procedure to hold suppliers to account about their pricing practices. I suspect that in many cases there are only one or two companies supplying and that these are very large companies.

It's something the government needs to address directly with the pharmaceutical firms. According to reports the department of Health is drafting new legislation to put a system in place so rogue companies can be fined more easily.

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

Hi

Well in excess of a million EU Nationals here in the UK.

Charge them, they charge us.

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

It is all a con! I remember when you got a prescription for drugs that you couldn't buy over the counter... if somebody really wanted to commit suicide they could visit several shops and buy enough paracetamol to kill them!
Pharmaceutical companies are businesses that have every intention of making as high profits as possible... they are in it for the money!
Doctors are being told that they must decrease the money spent on medicines, and the time they spend with patients.... to reduce the expenditure of the NHS. When patients have a minor illness it is easier for the doctor to prescribe a large number of paracetamol to get rid of the patient quickly.....I wonder what would happen if that patient then went home and took all of them, to end it all, whose fault would it be then?
I am currently taking 6-8 a day to keep my temperature down, as I have a bad cold. This could continue for several days, but I don't need a prescription because I often buy them for minor pains... and then the nearly full box slips to the bottom of my first aid kit , and I forget it is there!
Painkillers are never a cure, they are just a way of helping the patient feel more comfortable!

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

When there is no cure sometimes all we can hope for is to feel more comfortable. Just had tramadol added to my mix to try and achieve that state.

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

Surely Spain can´t be the only EU country that has a reciprocal agreement with UK regarding health care. Some EU nationals in the UK will have paid into a health care system in their own countries, not all obviously, but many. It isn´t all black and white, they are some grey areas.

Here the foreigners who are not entitled to "free" healthcare, i.e. not pensionable age, can pay into the system monthly for themselves and their families, or of course take out private insurance, which can be very expensive.

If you don´t have the correct documentation, SIP card (national health card) or the EHIC card, you will not be treated at any public health doctors or hospital. Going into hospital these days you must also take your passport as well as your SIP card to be registered when checking in.

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

Hi

We have reciprocal agreements with all EU Countries.

I have Polish friends, they live in the UK and some come from time to time.

They think we are mad.

I agree.

Re: NHS overspends on basic painkillers

Srange you mention Tramadol Julia, just questioned my GP about my condition after some research, I asked about Tramadol and Amitipyliine, and she said the first is too strong but i got the latter.

I get both Asprin and Paracetamol as part of my prescription, when i said i would buy them they dont like it , also being asked to do self blood tests again i used to by the test strips myself again they do not like it.

Leaves me wondering how much these are nice little earners for the NHS.