The government has launched a new initiative aimed at tackling prescription fraud in Northern Ireland.

In 2003, nearly £10 million was lost when patients did not pay the charges owed not only on prescriptions, but also on such services as dental treatment, eye tests and the provision of glasses.

Northern Ireland Office minister Angela Smith said the cash could have gone towards vital public services.

"This money could have been used to pay for 1,000 additional cardiac operations, 40 intensive care beds for a year or nearly 500 more nursing staff," she said.

Speaking on Monday, she insisted that the issue was a high priority for her department.

In the past two years 500 people have been taken to small claims courts in Northern Ireland to recover unpaid health charges, while more than 800 fixed penalty charges have been levied, Smith reported

"I would remind those who continue to evade health service charges they can be fined or even face criminal prosecution," she said.

"Fraudulent claims are a significant drain on the resources available to the department and one which I am determined to stop."