OCP provides three tips for detecting fraudulent prescriptions

The Ontario College of Pharmacists’ (OCP) “Pharmacy Connection” highlights several tips for detecting fraudulent prescriptions, as provided by inspectors in Health Canada’s Controlled Substances Program. 1) Critically assess the prescription Pay close attention to out-of-province prescriptions. Generally, the prescriber’s office and the patient should be a reasonable distance from the pharmacy. Check the prescriber’s public register entry for any restrictions on prescribing. Ensure the quantity and instructions for use make sense for the indication and align with best practices for controlled substances. Be alert for spelling errors and verify with the practitioner if any quantities or directions are struck out or if amounts look like they have been adjusted. With electronically generated prescriptions, check for irregular changes in font styles and sizes, and page layout. Look for any evidence of photocopying. Read: PTSBC hosts webinar on antimicrobial resistance Be aware of patients who consistently come in requesting early refills. Take extra care when multiple patients are at the same physical address or if the patient presents prescriptions from multiple providers. Verify with the practitioner if a patient comes in requesting refills of a prescription recently picked up, claiming it was lost or stolen. Be aware of alerts from surrounding pharmacies and/or prescribers and stay connected with local police services. The Narcotics Monitoring System (NMS) alerts pharmacies of potential issues, such as patients who obtain prescriptions for a monitored drug from more than one prescriber or more than one pharmacy. 2) Remain alert to circumstances around the prescription drop-off Be aware of those coming in close to closing time/late at night and those conveying urgency and unwillingness to wait for verification. Read: Tech discusses role of pharmacy teams in diverted drugs Do not feel pressured to dispense if you have not been able to verify the prescription and the patient or an agent on their behalf shows up early the next day demanding their prescription. Do due diligence/verification when agents on behalf of the patient are dropping off and/or picking up prescriptions. 3) Use best practices for verifying prescriptions Do not automatically trust the information provided on the prescription about the provider. Take extra care with new prescriptions and any change in dosage. Establish appropriate pharmacy procedures and ensure staff are trained on them. Be part of a network to share knowledge of fraudulent scripts with local pharmacies in your community.

OCP provides three tips for detecting fraudulent prescriptions

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