Scandal as NHS pays £1,500 for a £2 pot of moisturiser
The NHS was also billed £1,323 for a 400ml of skin ointment that cost £1.90, and £650 for £1 tubs of coconut oil
A FIRM owned by Boots’ parent company charged the NHS £1,500 for a £2 pot of moisturiser, it is claimed.
The massive price hike is one of a number of alleged rip-offs by firms supplying goods to the health service.
BCM Specials — at the time owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance — billed health bosses £1,579 for a 500ml tub of cream available elsewhere for just £1.73.
The NHS also paid £1,323 for 400ml of skin ointment that cost £1.90 a month later, and £650 for £1 tubs of coconut oil, The Times reported.
Deirdre Buckley, from the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “It’s not right. We have a duty to conserve the resources of the taxpayer so the money is used to actually care for patients.”
Unlike most drugs, the prices of many “specials” are not regulated so suppliers are free to set their own fee.
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The Department of Health said new laws will put tighter controls on pharmacies and suppliers from April.
Walgreens Boots Alliance denied overcharging and said it complied with all regulations.
It believes the NHS is not comparing like-for-like products.