| Paracetamol / NHS 11:04 - Nov 21 with 9770 views | giant_stow |
Someone I know got out of hospital yesterday after having both kneecaps replaced (had them done on Thurs and was treated beyond well in a state of the art NHS hospital, so this isn't a rant). On leaving they told her that they don't give out Paracetamol has it costs a few pence in the shop, but the NHS pays £9.20 per packet.
I just don't understand how that can be? Anyone know why that's the price? Are all drugs that much to the NHS? |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:05 - Nov 21 with 6702 views | StokieBlue |
Given it's out of copyright and that's why it costs 20p in Boots I don't see how that can be correct.
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:06 - Nov 21 with 6695 views | ipswich78 |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:05 - Nov 21 by StokieBlue |
Given it's out of copyright and that's why it costs 20p in Boots I don't see how that can be correct.
SB |
It is correct. I don't know the ins and outs, but would guess it's do with contracts and who the NHS has to buy various drugs from... My wife works for the NHS and she has told me a similar story. |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS (n/t) on 11:06 - Nov 21 with 6694 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:05 - Nov 21 by StokieBlue |
Given it's out of copyright and that's why it costs 20p in Boots I don't see how that can be correct.
SB |
I don't know the answer but it wouldn't surprise me if there was a blanket price to NHS inasmuch as they end up paying more than the cost for some drugs and less than cost for others - I have no idea but nothing surprises me.
You do hear of some ridiculous stories of examples like The MOD paying £30 for a light bulb, while I am sure that many instances are made up I am confident that many aren't.
Having said that if I had a free knee operation I would expect to go and buy my own paracetamol.
I don't know why this just popped up in my head (I think I started thinking about parking fees at hospitals) but why do blue badge holders get free parking everywhere they go? [Post edited 21 Nov 2017 11:11]
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:07 - Nov 21 with 6683 views | giant_stow |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:05 - Nov 21 by StokieBlue |
Given it's out of copyright and that's why it costs 20p in Boots I don't see how that can be correct.
SB |
I sh1t you not. This was word for word from the main nurse who'd been looking after her - its policy at UCH on Euston road. | |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:08 - Nov 21 with 6676 views | StokieBlue |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:06 - Nov 21 by ipswich78 |
It is correct. I don't know the ins and outs, but would guess it's do with contracts and who the NHS has to buy various drugs from... My wife works for the NHS and she has told me a similar story. |
In which case it would seem that whilst the funding of the NHS is an issue the negotiation of contracts is an equally big issue.
Maybe best sort out some of this sourcing before pouring good money after bad?
That is a totally insane price for a non-protected medicine.
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| Avatar - IC410 - Tadpoles Nebula |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:09 - Nov 21 with 6665 views | chicoazul |
I am not certain but I *believe* that the cost quoted would include the logistical cost and storage cost. I do not think the NHS pays £9.20 for paracetemol but rather that it costs the NHS that amount to *give* paracetamol which is a different thing if you think about it. |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:12 - Nov 21 with 6644 views | giant_stow |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:09 - Nov 21 by chicoazul |
I am not certain but I *believe* that the cost quoted would include the logistical cost and storage cost. I do not think the NHS pays £9.20 for paracetemol but rather that it costs the NHS that amount to *give* paracetamol which is a different thing if you think about it. |
I was wondering whether it might be that, but then why is it so much cheaper and easier for Boots to do the same logistics and storage? | |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:12 - Nov 21 with 6638 views | blue_oyster |
There's a massive problem with NHS overpaying vast amounts for what were previously affordable drugs, because of government incompetence. Bear this in mind the next time they say they are 'spending record amounts' on the NHS. This is where it goes. |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS (n/t) on 11:13 - Nov 21 with 6635 views | giant_stow |
| Paracetamol / NHS (n/t) on 11:06 - Nov 21 by Lord_Lucan |
I don't know the answer but it wouldn't surprise me if there was a blanket price to NHS inasmuch as they end up paying more than the cost for some drugs and less than cost for others - I have no idea but nothing surprises me.
You do hear of some ridiculous stories of examples like The MOD paying £30 for a light bulb, while I am sure that many instances are made up I am confident that many aren't.
Having said that if I had a free knee operation I would expect to go and buy my own paracetamol.
I don't know why this just popped up in my head (I think I started thinking about parking fees at hospitals) but why do blue badge holders get free parking everywhere they go? [Post edited 21 Nov 2017 11:11]
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"Having said that if I had a free knee operation I would expect to go and buy my own paracetamol. "
Of course! Its an obvious way to save costs, but I was thinking more about all the pills she had while in there. I mean how much was the bludy Morphine ffs?! | |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:14 - Nov 21 with 6628 views | chicoazul |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:12 - Nov 21 by giant_stow |
I was wondering whether it might be that, but then why is it so much cheaper and easier for Boots to do the same logistics and storage? |
No idea blud. Maybe the often quoted price would include every single cost of every single person handling that packet of drugs including pension liability? | |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:16 - Nov 21 with 6622 views | giant_stow |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:06 - Nov 21 by ipswich78 |
It is correct. I don't know the ins and outs, but would guess it's do with contracts and who the NHS has to buy various drugs from... My wife works for the NHS and she has told me a similar story. |
Why can a man with a van just go round stocking all the hospitals up on the quiet at a quid a packet and screw the contracts?!
(rhetorical) | |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:19 - Nov 21 with 6608 views | Axeldalai_lama |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:14 - Nov 21 by chicoazul |
No idea blud. Maybe the often quoted price would include every single cost of every single person handling that packet of drugs including pension liability? |
Reading the comments on the independent article I posted it seems to be they can prescribe larger quantities and that within the NHS and pharmacies they have a surcharge to cover community funds or something which I don't claim to understand.
It's for patients who would otherwise have to go to the shop every other day because of selling restrictions, plus a surcharge that seems to be compulsary. |  | | |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:24 - Nov 21 with 6571 views | factual_blue |
That's probably a slightly simplistic figure, as a lot of the Paracetamol the NHS uses is intravenous solution which I daresay is more than a few pence per dose. |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:29 - Nov 21 with 6533 views | WeWereZombies |
Why didn't she ask for aspirin instead?
Or whisky... |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:31 - Nov 21 with 6519 views | GeoffSentence |
A friend of mine had an operation privately a couple of years ago, I forget exactly how much he was charged for a single paracetamol afterwards but it was staggering, something the £60. |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:35 - Nov 21 with 6503 views | StokieBlue |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:24 - Nov 21 by factual_blue |
That's probably a slightly simplistic figure, as a lot of the Paracetamol the NHS uses is intravenous solution which I daresay is more than a few pence per dose. |
In this example the nurse told them that was the cost of the paracetamol they could take home so not sure your example really fits?
I am sure it's more expensive but not what she was talking about.
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| Paracetamol / NHS (n/t) on 11:37 - Nov 21 with 6491 views | Benters |
| Paracetamol / NHS (n/t) on 11:06 - Nov 21 by Lord_Lucan |
I don't know the answer but it wouldn't surprise me if there was a blanket price to NHS inasmuch as they end up paying more than the cost for some drugs and less than cost for others - I have no idea but nothing surprises me.
You do hear of some ridiculous stories of examples like The MOD paying £30 for a light bulb, while I am sure that many instances are made up I am confident that many aren't.
Having said that if I had a free knee operation I would expect to go and buy my own paracetamol.
I don't know why this just popped up in my head (I think I started thinking about parking fees at hospitals) but why do blue badge holders get free parking everywhere they go? [Post edited 21 Nov 2017 11:11]
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When i started my Chemo i had to stay in Hospital 24/7 one week on one off that kind of thing.
Anyway i had my own room and my bulb went on my bedside lamp,so i asked the nurse to change it,they werent allowed and said they would report it and get a contractor in,so i asked him to get a bulb and i changed the fkn thing myself. |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:37 - Nov 21 with 6496 views | Pinewoodblue |
The annoying thing is they only let you buy two small packets.
PS
My wife gets Paracetamol of prescription, along with her morphine etc She takes 2x 4 times a day, they are packaged in boxes of 100 and they squeeze an extra dozen into the box |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:43 - Nov 21 with 6470 views | itfcjoe |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:35 - Nov 21 by StokieBlue |
In this example the nurse told them that was the cost of the paracetamol they could take home so not sure your example really fits?
I am sure it's more expensive but not what she was talking about.
SB |
I think what has happened has been misinterpreted here...
We had the same when my wife had an operation - and they said you may as well buy the paracetamol at the shop (including the one in the hospital) because if they prescribe it to you then you have to pay the normal prescription cost - which presumably is now £9.20.
Obviously if you were pregnant, or U18, or unemployed or whatever other allowances they are they could prescribe it for free, but in most cases it's better just to buy it over the counter |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:45 - Nov 21 with 6449 views | Benters |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:37 - Nov 21 by Pinewoodblue |
The annoying thing is they only let you buy two small packets.
PS
My wife gets Paracetamol of prescription, along with her morphine etc She takes 2x 4 times a day, they are packaged in boxes of 100 and they squeeze an extra dozen into the box |
I used to have those big boxes.
I also had a card sent to me by the Great NHS so i could get free tabs and medication.
It runs out on Dec 7th man those 5 years have gone quick! | |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:48 - Nov 21 with 6431 views | usm |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:43 - Nov 21 by itfcjoe |
I think what has happened has been misinterpreted here...
We had the same when my wife had an operation - and they said you may as well buy the paracetamol at the shop (including the one in the hospital) because if they prescribe it to you then you have to pay the normal prescription cost - which presumably is now £9.20.
Obviously if you were pregnant, or U18, or unemployed or whatever other allowances they are they could prescribe it for free, but in most cases it's better just to buy it over the counter |
Prescriptions are £8.60 - or at least they were this morning. |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:50 - Nov 21 with 6426 views | BOjK |
| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:37 - Nov 21 by Pinewoodblue |
The annoying thing is they only let you buy two small packets.
PS
My wife gets Paracetamol of prescription, along with her morphine etc She takes 2x 4 times a day, they are packaged in boxes of 100 and they squeeze an extra dozen into the box |
I discovered - by chance - that if you by ibuprofen over the counter they sell you them in greater quantities. I was offered either 48 or 96.
May well be the same with paracetemol (unless high quantities of ibuprofen are safer). |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 11:54 - Nov 21 with 6395 views | homer_123 |
Standard prescription cost.
Any erstwhile chemist will review your prescription and advise you if you can buy cheaper over the counter.
There is strong evidence to support two things:
1. NHS overpaying for drugs by not being efficient
2. NHS overpaying for drugs based on monopolies and price fixing
That being said, paracetamol isn't one of those - it's simply cheaper to buy it over the counter and the advise from the doctor or nurse in this situ is sound and sage. |  |
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| Paracetamol / NHS on 12:00 - Nov 21 with 6373 views | MedwayTractor |
On a slightly different tack, I had a night in hospital in July for a gut problem. When the drug trolley came round in the evening and the following morning, I was given a little paper cup containing 3 or 4 pills. I take one blood pressure pill each evening, so I asked what the others were for, to be told that one was a painkiller. I insisted that I was not in pain, so declined this kind offer. If every patient is given (and takes) unnecessary drugs, no wonder the NHS has a money shortage. |  |
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