Britain fines drug firms after steroid price for NHS rises over 10,000%

[2greys]

Britain's competition regulator has fined more than 10 drug firms a record combined 260 million pounds ($360 million) for overcharging the National Health Service (NHS) for a steroid which rose from 70p to 88 pounds a pack in under eight years.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Thursday that the breaches meant the NHS paid over 10,000% more for single packs of 10 mg and 20 mg hydrocortisone tablets in 2016 than they were paying in 2008.

Hydrocortisone is used to treat conditions where adrenal glands do not make sufficient hormones, including the life-threatening Addison's disease.

reuters.com/world/uk/britai...

[sassy59]

That’s a dreadful increase. Thank you for sharing 2greys. Xxxxx

[2greys in reply to sassy59]

Effectively they are stealing from the public, that pay National Insurance and Tax. On top of the fine and any damages there should be an embargo from the NHS imposed on them as well. It is obvious that this was a deliberate and intentional act to defraud the NHS and shows that they cannot be trusted. There are other suppliers that can be used, who would welcome the additional business. Any political ties and petitioning needs investigating also, these supply contracts have to be approved.

[Annie31 in reply to 2greys]

......and people's lives at stake, shame on them! Well they hold enquiries for everything else, this needs vigilant looking into too!

[peege in reply to Annie31]

Yes, GPs would avoid prescribing them at £88 per pack - at least mine would

[Annie31 in reply to peege]

Yes, I understand things a lot more now!

[Snackjack]

It begs the question who was allowing these exorbitant prices to be paid by the NHS?? The relevant drugs companies should be black listed and never used again.

[Annie31 in reply to Snackjack]

Very good point - who?!!!

[Izb1 in reply to Snackjack]

Thats a question I keep asking Snackjack when we are being charged such exhoribant fees for simple things like paracetamol. I really would like to know who is responsible because i would certainly put pen to paper x

[peege]

Good. A just fine for the greedy b*****do. Just a shame it took so long and I hope other greedy drug companies are less greedy. Grrrr

[Croydonia]

Sounds like bad management in the hospitals to allow this to happen.

[Alberta56]

Sickening

[Izb1]

We have been ripped off for years for everything in the nhs, time to wake up I think x