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A clampdown on supposed 'cheats' who wrongly claim free prescriptions is being launched as part of a drive to save £300 million a year for the NHS in England.

Rogue pharmacists and dentists who scam the health service will also be targeted by the NHS counter-fraud team.

The new approach, announced by Tory Health Secretary Matt Hancock, will start with a commitment to halve prescription fraud, which currently costs the NHS £256 million a year.

Mr Hancock said: "The message is clear: the NHS is no longer an easy target and if you try to steal from it you will face the consequences."

But pharmacies warned the crackdown was "potentially fraught with problems" because the government "can't even get Universal Credit right".

Sandra Gidley, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's English Pharmacy Board, said the £300m figure was only an estimate and patients were often genuinely confused.

(Image: Jack Taylor)

She told BBC Breakfast: "£8.60 might not be a lot to you but if you're on a very low income... finding £17 is well nigh impossible for some people.

"Patients shouldn't be put in that situation. It's unfair on the patients."

She added: "The whole system is unjust and unfair."

Prescription exemptions will be digitised, allowing pharmacies to check whether the patient is exempt from paying a charge or not before their medication is dispensed.

This will be piloted next year before being rolled out across the NHS.

The plan is part of a drive to prevent up to £300 million a year of fraud by April 2020.

Other measures include a new drive to spot pharmacists and dentists who claim payments for services they have not carried out, something which can result in large-scale scams.

As part of the crackdown, the NHS Counter Fraud Authority will partner with fraud prevention service Cifas.

Mr Hancock said: "Those who abuse the NHS and choose to line their own pockets with money that should be spent on patients and frontline care will no longer have anywhere to hide.

"The new technology and analysis, combined with intel and experience of counter-fraud specialists will form the starting point of this new fight against NHS fraudsters."

Health Minister Steve Barclay, a trained lawyer who worked in roles targeting financial crime before entering politics, has been given responsibility to lead the effort.