Pharmacists warned over spate of fake prescriptions
PEOPLE are trying to get hold of controlled hypnotic and psychiatric drugs by handing in fake prescriptions at pharmacies.
The paper forms are understood to look incredibly similar to the green slips handed out by doctors.
It is unclear how they’re being made, but they all ask for the same three items – diazepam, nitrazepam and pregabalin.
Diazepam is used to treat conditions such as anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures.
Hypnotic drug Nitrazepam is for severe, disabling anxiety and insomnia. Pregabalin is a psychiatric drug used to treat epilepsy and anxiety.
According to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), the fraudulent prescriptions have mainly been seen around Wythenshawe.
It issued a warning to other pharmacists about the problem, and highlighted key issues with the forms.
The ‘prescriber’ is listed is Dr Cheyan Datta. Dr Datta gave up his licence to practice in February 2017, however the date on one prescription reads February 20, 2019.
The surgery address on the forms is The Village Medical Centre on Peel Street in Littleborough. According to practice bosses, the patient named on the prescription is not registered with them.
There was also suspicion surrounding the prescriber’s signature, which the NPA says ‘bears similar handwriting traits to the patient signature on the reverse of the prescription.’
A spokesman for GMP confirmed it was investigating the situation, and said no arrests had yet been made.
The NPA urged those working in pharmacies to be vigilant and report any suspicious prescriptions.
It said: “Although this case has been investigated by the Greater Manchester Police, patient safety is paramount and all pharmacists and their teams should be aware of what is happening in other areas to help their own practice and learning.
“It is prudent to be vigilant and act accordingly if concern/suspicion is raised for any prescription presented
“Ensure prescriber details are checked on the relevant professional register.
“Contact the prescriber for medication combination, dosage, or quantities queries, as necessary to clarification/further information – all correspondences should be recorded on the patient medication record, and intervention log if available.
“For further information on this or any other query, please contact the NPA Pharmacy Services team on 01727 891 800 or email pharmacyservices@npa.co.uk.”
Anyone with information relating to the fraudulent FP10 prescriptions is asked to contact GMP on 101 or via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.