In California, anyone can report suspicious and fraudulent pharmaceutical activities. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) encourages consumers to notify authorities of pharmacists or doctors who are illegally dispensing medications.
As a medical professional, you should take preventive measures to reduce the risk of a prescription fraud charge.
Prevention strategies for healthcare providers
Pharmacists may prevent fraud by thoroughly evaluating a prescription before issuing medications.
For example, checking the date on a prescription order is a crucial step. It can help you determine whether the patient presented the form in a reasonable time since their physician wrote it.
If you work at a hospital pharmacy, familiarizing yourself with the doctors’ names and signatures is also essential. This measure can help you detect suspicious prescription orders.
Remembering the faces and names of patients who regularly buy medications is also helpful so you can be aware if something unusual occurs.
Red flags to look out for include the following:
- Photocopied prescription
- Suspicious dosages or administration directions that differ from the usual medical usage
- Changes in the prescriber’s handwriting
- Instructions with no abbreviations
If you have questions about any aspect of a prescription, you should call the prescribing physician for clarification. This extra step may prevent potential illegal activities and medication dispensing errors.
The legal consequences of prescription fraud
The Medical Board of California may revoke your license if you are charged with fraud. This penalty impacts not only your career but also your finances since you cannot practice your profession and earn a living. If you must undergo disciplinary action, you may request a hearing to dispute the charges.