§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, over the last five years for which figures are available, the loss to the health service by improper prescription claims; and if he will make a statement in response to the complaints of the Comptroller and Auditor-General for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyIt is not possible to state accurately the loss to the health service by improper claims for exemption from prescription charges. Estimates based on sample surveys which began in 1986–87 are:
£ 1986–87 1,345,564 1987–88 2,220,000 1988–89 2,123,446 1989–90 2,323,736 Improper prescription claims have been the subject of consideration by the Department of Health and Social Services and the Central Services Agency in the light of previous Comptroller and Auditor-General Reports. Arising out of this consideration the medical and pharmaceutical professions will shortly be consulted about a range of measures designed to counteract this problem without imposing undue restrictions on patients requiring medication. The specific criticisms made by the Comptroller and Auditor-General about weaknesses within the pharmaceutical branch of the agency are not directly linked with the improper claiming. The Department will consider with the agency the action which should now be taken on this aspect of the Comptroller and Auditor-General's 1988–89 report.