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Splashing the cash

The NHS has spent £3.4million on toothpaste and anti-dandruff shampoo for patients

The figure comes amid a surge in prescriptions for top brand goods, such as Colgate and Neutrogena

THE NHS spent £3.4million on toiletries including toothpaste and anti-dandruff shampoo for patients last year, official figures show.

It came amid a surge in prescriptions for consumer goods from top brands such as Colgate and Neutrogena.

 The cost of supplying patients with branded goods has increased
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The cost of supplying patients with branded goods has increasedCredit: Getty - Contributor

NHS Digital stats show more than £1.6million went on bottles of Aveeno bodywash, which cleanses dry and irritable skin.

Another £270,000 was spent on 50,000 bottles of Neutrogena T/Gel shampoo, for itchy and flaky scalps.

The cost of supplying patients with branded goods has increased from £483,000 a decade ago, according to The Sunday Times.

Critics say millions of pounds are being used on prescriptions for goods patients could buy for themselves.

Taxpayers’ Alliance chief John O’Connell described the rise in spending was “absurd”.

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