FOI Response
Thank you for your request for information about the following:
Request
I would like to make an information request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. My request is as follows. Please treat each of the points below as individual requests.
- The number of penalty charge notices for prescriptions that have been issued in the past 5 tax years, split by year.
- The number of penalty charge notices for dental charges that have been issued in the past 5 tax years, split by year.
- The number of penalty notices issued for prescriptions to those who checked the tax credits / JSA / UC boxes but were not eligible, in the past 5 years, split by year.
- The number of penalty notices issued for dental charges to those who checked the tax credits / JSA / UC boxes but were not eligible, in the past 5 years, split by year.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 22 July 2025.
We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
Our response
I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested and a copy of the information and notes explaining it is attached.
Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.
During the financial year 2020/2021 the issuing of PCNs and enquiry letters was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Please also note that the NHSBSA did not issue Prescription PCNs to customers on the new style Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) Exemption category prior to 2023.
Data Queries
Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.
Reusing the data and copyright
If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.
The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025”. Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.
Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.
![[Open Data]](/base/images/od_80x15_blue.png)
