e-Profile Login and ID Quick Search
New Jersey News: Recognizing Fraudulent Prescriptions
Reprinted from the October 2008 New Jersey Board of Pharmacy Newsletter.
Fraudulent prescriptions for controlled dangerous substances continue to present a significant problem to dispensing pharmacists. A Web page entitled “A Pharmacist’s Guide to Prescription Fraud,” published by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office of Diversion Control, discusses patient or prescriber behaviors and prescription characteristics that may indicate prescription fraud. Behaviors that should alert the pharmacist to the possibility of fraud include:
1. a prescriber who writes controlled dangerous substance prescriptions much more frequently or for much larger quantity than other prescribers in your area;
2. a prescriber who writes simultaneously for antagonistic medications (both central nervous system stimulants and depressants, for example);
3. a patient who returns to refill a medication too frequently;
4. a patient presenting prescriptions written for other individuals;
5. multiple patients appearing simultaneously or within a short time period, all with prescriptions from the same prescriber, and;
6. multiple new patients suddenly appearing, all with prescriptions from the same prescriber.
Characteristics that may indicate the possibility of a fraudulent prescription include:
1. handwriting that is too legible;
2. the use of nonstandard abbreviations;
3. directions for use that contain no abbreviations;
4. drug dosage, directions for use, or quantity dispensed that differs from the typical use of the medication;
5. a prescription that appears to be photocopied; or
6. a prescription written in different ink colors or containing sections in different handwriting.
Dispensing pharmacists assume the responsibility for taking reasonable steps to prevent prescription fraud. These steps may include:
1. becoming familiar with the handwriting, and knowing the DEA registration number, of prescribers who commonly write prescriptions in your area;
2. getting to know the patients who commonly fill prescriptions in your pharmacy;
3. becoming familiar with the medications that are commonly associated with prescription fraud in your area;
4. checking the date on the prescription to see that it has been presented in a reasonable amount of time from the date it was written;
5. calling the prescriber for verification whenever there is a concern; or
6. requesting proper identification from the patient when there is a concern.
Effective communication with prescribers and other pharmacists in the area can be an effective deterrent. If presented with a prescription that you suspect is fraudulent do not dispense the medication and contact your local law enforcement. If you suspect a pattern of prescription fraud, contact the Board of Pharmacy or your local DEA office. The DEA Office of Diversion Control Web site is located at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
