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The LPC has been alerted to patients receiving phone calls from a company claiming to be National Health Pharmacy Initiative. The callers are claiming by signing up to their service they will be helping to reduce workload for Pharmacies and GP's.
The LPC has not been able to identify where these calls are originating from however we have been informed by the NHS North of England Commissioning Support unit that there have been a number of complaints made to them and they are taking this very seriously. They have put out the following alert to GP's and are now liaising with the police.
Please read this alert and any suspicious activity or complaints should, in the first instance, be reported to Ken Dale on 07919 071 655 or [email protected]
The LPC has not been able to identify where these calls are originating from however we have been informed by the NHS North of England Commissioning Support unit that there have been a number of complaints made to them and they are taking this very seriously. They have put out the following alert to GP's and are now liaising with the police.
Please read this alert and any suspicious activity or complaints should, in the first instance, be reported to Ken Dale on 07919 071 655 or [email protected]
CONFIDENTIAL
To: All GP Practices
Dear Colleague
Report of suspicious telephone calls to patients
Gateshead and South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) have been informed by a number of patients about suspicious telephone calls. The male caller claims to be part of a National Health Pharmacy Initiative which is offering to order prescriptions on their behalf. The patients are asked information relating to their medication, GP practice details, date of birth etc.
The caller informs the patient that their GP practice is aware of the initiative and they are supporting them to reduce their workload. This has not been corroborated by the GP practices where affected patients are registered.
These calls appear to originate from the telephone number 0845 8622331. Enquiries to this number result in a recorded message from the ‘Pharmacy Initiative Scheme’. The North of England Commissioning Support is currently liaising with CCG Local Counter Fraud Specialists in the affected areas, with enquiries currently ongoing. The police have also been informed.
Practices are requested to be vigilant when receiving requests by companies (particularly internet-based companies*) to change or amend their patients’ medication order or delivery where this has not been initially instigated by the patient. GP practices becoming suspicious of any activity should try to obtain as much information about those requesting the changes such as:
· Full company name
· Company address (physical or online)
· Pharmacy registration number
· Lead pharmacist name and GPhC registration number
Any suspicious activity should, in the first instance, be reported to Ken Dale on07919071655.
*Please note, this does not include Pharmacy 2U, the Medicines Optimisation Team have confirmed with the Medical Director of this company that they do not “cold call” patients by telephone, they do carry out direct mail shots but it is left to the patient to make the decision to sign up to their service
Drafted by Paul Bevan – Local Counter Fraud Specialist, in conjunction with NECS Medicines Optimisation team
To: All GP Practices
Dear Colleague
Report of suspicious telephone calls to patients
Gateshead and South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) have been informed by a number of patients about suspicious telephone calls. The male caller claims to be part of a National Health Pharmacy Initiative which is offering to order prescriptions on their behalf. The patients are asked information relating to their medication, GP practice details, date of birth etc.
The caller informs the patient that their GP practice is aware of the initiative and they are supporting them to reduce their workload. This has not been corroborated by the GP practices where affected patients are registered.
These calls appear to originate from the telephone number 0845 8622331. Enquiries to this number result in a recorded message from the ‘Pharmacy Initiative Scheme’. The North of England Commissioning Support is currently liaising with CCG Local Counter Fraud Specialists in the affected areas, with enquiries currently ongoing. The police have also been informed.
Practices are requested to be vigilant when receiving requests by companies (particularly internet-based companies*) to change or amend their patients’ medication order or delivery where this has not been initially instigated by the patient. GP practices becoming suspicious of any activity should try to obtain as much information about those requesting the changes such as:
· Full company name
· Company address (physical or online)
· Pharmacy registration number
· Lead pharmacist name and GPhC registration number
Any suspicious activity should, in the first instance, be reported to Ken Dale on07919071655.
*Please note, this does not include Pharmacy 2U, the Medicines Optimisation Team have confirmed with the Medical Director of this company that they do not “cold call” patients by telephone, they do carry out direct mail shots but it is left to the patient to make the decision to sign up to their service
Drafted by Paul Bevan – Local Counter Fraud Specialist, in conjunction with NECS Medicines Optimisation team
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