Preventing Prescription Fraud:

• Know the prescriber and his or her signature.
• Know the prescriber’s DEA registration number
• Know the patient. Observe the patient’s behavior- is he nervous or fidgeting? Is the prescription damp from being held in sweaty palms? Is he licking his lips or appear to have dry mouth? Did he insist that the script be filled immediately because he could not return to get it later?
• Be cautious of people who appear right before closing and demand the prescription immediately, especially if the doctor’s office is closed or unavailable.
• Make sure the prescription was written within a reasonable amount of time from when it is presented.
  If there are ANY questions about a prescription, call the provider for verification
• Ask the customer for a photo ID. Although the ID can be forged as well, it increases the risk, especially if you are reasonably able to spot a fake ID.
• Do not dispense the medication until you are sure the prescription is legitimate.

Call the Brewer Police. If you asked for ID, take down the name, date of birth, address and ID number. Note the physical characteristics such as height, weight, hair color, complexion, appearance, and clothing description. If you are able to see a vehicle, note its type, make, model, color, license plate and direction of travel. Make note of anything the patient said, any conversation you had with a physician, and anything you noticed about the prescription that caught your attention.

Notify other local pharmacies and other branches of your pharmacy that someone has tried to pass a phony prescription. While being cognizant of HIPAA regulations, give them and idea of the suspect’s description, the prescriber name that appeared on the prescription, what type of drug was prescribed and what appeared to be altered on the prescription.