Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been fined for falsely claiming free prescriptions in each of the last five years.

The Prescription Exemption Checking Service is delivered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) as commissioned by NHS England. NHSBSA assumed the responsibility for this service from 17 September 2014. Prior to this date it was the responsibility of primary care trusts and NHS England Area Teams, for which no data is held.

From 17 September 2014 to 16 January 2015 5,572 patients have paid a penalty charge in full with a further 2,252 patients opting to pay the penalty charges in instalments.