Prescription fraud is a crime where people obtain prescription drugs illegally. Reasons for this include addiction and wanting to use the drugs for other purposes. The most commonly sought-after drugs are those that help calm down, create a euphoric high, or treat pain. The most common groups that commit prescription fraud include teenagers, drug addicts, the elderly, and women. Signs of fraud include physician notes calling for more than the recommended amount of pills and illegible handwriting. Punishments for this crime include jail time, fines, or drug treatment programs.
Prescription fraud occurs when people get prescription drugs that weren’t prescribed to them by a doctor. This is a crime that can lead to fines and jail time in many countries. People who forge medical notes, change what is written on a legitimate doctor’s note to change the amount, or bribe their doctor to write fraudulent prescriptions are committing fraud. Conversely, people who steal prescription drugs aren’t committing fraud—they’re committing theft, which is also punishable by jail time.
There are many reasons why someone might commit prescription fraud. Addiction primarily fuels this crime; people who are addicted to painkillers, for example, may forge prescriptions when they can’t get these drugs from another source. Others may want to use prescription drugs for other purposes, such as taking methylphenidate to stay awake longer.
Drugs that help people calm down, create a euphoric high, or help treat pain are the most sought after by people who commit fraud. Alprazolam and diazepam are very popular with people who self-medicate their anxious conditions or want to feel calm before a big event. Adolescents and young adults are more likely to abuse codeine, methadone and oxycodone.
The most common groups that commit prescription fraud include teenagers, drug addicts, the elderly, and women. In most cases, people decide to get a prescription illegally after getting it from another family member. Some people may even buy pills from classmates, friends, or strangers because they are curious about the off-label uses of a prescription. After running out of pills, these people can commit fraud to get more pills.
There are several signs to watch out for when it comes to this crime. Physician notes calling for more than the recommended amount of pills for a person’s condition are usually a sign of fraud; delivering prescriptions weekly or even daily is also another telltale sign of abuse. There is also the aspect of the note to consider. Prescriptions that don’t contain abbreviations, illegible handwriting, or are written in inks that doctors don’t normally use can be signs of prescription fraud.
If a person is caught and convicted, they can be punished with jail time, fines, or both, depending on where the crime was committed, how long it was committed, and the person’s criminal record. If law enforcement officials believe the person is an older person, they may send the person to a drug treatment facility instead. However, full compliance and completion of the program is required; giving up can usually mean jail time.
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