PDL warns of fake scripts

PHARMACEUTICAL Defence Limited (PDL) has raised awareness of reports regarding consumers who are posing as prescribers and using faxed, email or mobile phone images to fraudulently obtain prescription medications.

Controlled drugs are a popular target of the scam, with PDL detailing a recent example where a “prescriber” contacted pharmacies to confirm the availability of a particular S8 medicine.

An email address was requested to send the fake prescription to the pharmacy, with the so-called prescriber in some cases making reference to the patient’s health which is then confirmed by the “patient” when they collect the item.

Another method has seen the “patient” fax or email a single script to numerous pharmacies in order to obtain multiple supplies of the medication - but was not able to present the original script when they picked up the drug, while the purported prescriber was noncontactable at the time of pick-up.

PDL urged pharmacies to undertake a “rigorous process” to ensure authenticity of a faxed or emailed prescription, including independently sourcing clinic contact details, confirming scripts by speaking to the prescriber, and ensuring the original prescription is provided directly to the pharmacy.

“PDL advises against dispensing prescriptions presented by a patient/consumer that have been faxed, emailed or sent via SMS or shown on a mobile phone photo unless the original is presented at the time of collection,” PDL said.