Prescription Fraud: Characteristics,Consequences,and Influences

Abstract

This research examines the characteristics, consequences, and potential factors impacting the prevalence of prescription fraud committed by pharmacy employees. Using standard thematic content analysis, 292 cases prosecuted by Medicaid Fraud Control Units throughout the nation are analyzed. Preliminary results reveal that certain kinds of fraud (generic substitution, short-counting, and filling prescriptions without a refill) are committed more regularly, or at least detected more readily than other kinds of fraud. Most of the prosecutions involved pharmacists accused of fraud and many of the offenses were committed in groups. Implications for future research and policy are provided.