NHS officials failed to challenge staggering medicine prices rises, some of which increased by 600%.
An investigation by The Times newspaper revealed that Concordia International – a British company and a major NHS supplier – has increased the prices of 54 medicines. This cost the NHS an extra £125million last year alone.
Examples include an anticoagulant which rose from £99.89 to £291.09, only to increase again four months later to £519.98. The cost of eye drops also went up from £2.35 to £8.05, an increase of 243%.
Emails show the new prices were queried when submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority, but once Concordia International confirmed they were correct, they were not contested.
It is alleged the price rises were possible because of a ‘debranding’ loophole, whereby products are given a different name and relaunched, making them exempt from a profit cap.
A former investigation by the same newspaper also found that entrepreneurs were buying the rights to old medicines and enforcing price increases.
Sources at the Department of Health have suggested a system to monitor drug prices will soon be implemented.
Medical negligence solicitors
If you would like to talk to a solicitor about the care you received under the NHS, please get in touch with us today.
Share Article With:
|
|
|
|
|
|
