GP misused 77 times for prescription fraud: "I'm waiting for someone to overdose on medicines in my name"
GP Bjørn Erik Egeland in Vennesla is a victim of serious prescription fraud. In a short period, his name and HPR number were used to obtain addictive medicines 77 times.
GP in Vennesla misused for large-scale prescription fraud
NRK Norge reports that GP Bjørn Erik Egeland in Vennesla has had his name and HPR number misused for prescription fraud 77 times in a short period.
"I'm simply waiting for someone to overdose on medicines in my name," Egeland told NRK.
The fraudsters have, in his name, obtained large quantities of addictive and narcotics-classified medicines from pharmacies. Egeland has reported all cases to the police, but states that all have been dismissed.
"What are the pharmacies' procedures? Where is my legal protection? I'm being misused in the most serious way. Nobody takes responsibility. And the police dismiss everything," the doctor said.
He already works around 60 hours a week and additionally spends considerable time following up on the fraud cases. Yet he sees no solution in sight.
"There is no one to help. You're completely alone," Egeland said.
Pharmacist alerted the doctor
Egeland first became aware of the fraud when a pharmacist at Vitusapotek Froland contacted him. A man with a foreign accent had called the pharmacy, provided a personal number, and explained that he worked at the emergency medical clinic. He claimed to have a patient who had stayed briefly in Norway, and that it was therefore not possible to enter an electronic prescription.
Daily manager Turid Gunnufsen at Vitusapotek Froland reacted when the man named the preparation he wanted.
"When he gets to the preparation, I react because it's not very often we receive telephone prescriptions for such strong tablets," Gunnufsen said.
She alerted Egeland, who then discovered the extent of the fraud.
Loopholes in the system for oral prescriptions
Current regulations allow doctors to request prescriptions orally – by telephone or in person – if written requests are not practically possible. The requirement for secure identification also applies in such cases, but the practice can nonetheless be misused.
The Health Directorate does not wish to comment on the matter to NRK, citing the fact that the case has been reported to the police.
The Medical Association discussed the case
The Norwegian Medical Association describes the case as extremely serious. On Wednesday, the issue was on the agenda at the association's national council meeting.
"What is most important to us is that a solution is found that makes telephone prescriptions safer for both patients and healthcare personnel," said Hans-Christian Myklestul of the Norwegian Medical Association.
The board has not yet taken a position on whether it will work to abolish the telephone prescription scheme, since there may also be medical need for such requests.
"Whether this will involve working for legislative changes or other measures, the board will decide when the case is considered," Myklestul said.
Warning system underutilised
Pharmacists receive training in detecting prescription fraud and can report suspicion through a warning system via their professional association. However, Egeland believes that the system is rarely used in practice.
He is calling for a system that would make it possible to flag doctors who issue unusually large quantities of medicines.
"No one knows the extent of this. There are legal challenges in obtaining a comprehensive overview," Egeland said.
Source: NRK Norge