Zuri, I know you have a unique perspective so I am wondering what you think about this: if MS had access to TS's prescription pad and forged scripts for himself (anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds) and then sold those medications, would this scheme be lucrative? Would it be 'low risk' considering it wasn't pain meds or controlled substances that he was 'stealing'? I'm just thinking this might possibly explain the blame game when it came to that antidepressant script in MS's name?
Interesting question CS! I just asked my DH MD your question and he said it was a great question lol. Ok. Anti depressants do not have a big "street market" value other than some people think they will get stoned off of Zoloft or Prozac. Anti Anxiety meds.. Yes. Big time. Xanax is sold on the street, primarily in 2mg bars. Most physicians prescribe the dose range of .25-1.0 mg.
Each state has a pharmacy board that sees the who/what med/by whom of Scheduled Drugs, typically Schedule 2-5. Schedule 1 drugs are drugs that have no medical value such as heroin, pot, LSD, cocaine (powder form). Schedule 2 drugs include Percocet, Vicoden, Nasal liquid Cocaine, Adderall etc. Schedule 3 drugs are Tylenol with Codeine. Schedule 4: Xanax, Ativan, Valium, all benzos. Schedule 5: Lyrica, anti seizure meds, Lomotil.
There is software that most, if not all docs have, that allows them to input a patient name and see what meds they have been prescribed by any physician. There is a software program that allows docs to prescribe narcotics by computer, if they elect to have the higher schedule 2 and 3 drugs written electronically. Those are very closely monitored by the state. DH has elected to only allow Schedules 3-5 be e scripts. He writes the others out on an RX pad and photocopies them for the patient chart.
This is where you raise an excellent thought. It IS possible that someone who has access to patient records or the ability to generate patient records, to ADD controlled substance e scripts to the patient record, without patient knowledge or consent, have them sent to a pharmacy and someone else can pick them up. The patient would never know anything about it unless they were legitimately prescribed the med, went to fill it and was denied. Also, controlled substance scripts are usually numbered and have a duplicate when written.
Example: If I was insane enough to work in my DH office at night to do"billing", chances are I would have a key to the drawer or safe where the numbered script pads are kept. If I wanted to, I could generate as many scripts as I wanted, to whomever, since I can scribble scrabble my DH signature extremely well. If the pharmacy calls for verification, as I am working there, I can verify it is legit. Anyone who wanted to pay me in large $100 bills might (Never) get a script or the pills IF I also have a dispensary and order in bulk from Mexico or Canada.
Also, if this type of activity is suspected in a physician's office, the State can HOLD UP the release of every patient's medical record, electronic or paper, while it examines every patient record from the time they first saw the physician. One patient chart can take 2-3 weeks to sift through.
HTH! Sorry for such a broad explanation. You may have just figured out why there was $40K in the safe, that probably used to be more like $50K before someone withdrew $10K for a car.
ETA: And yes, if an IT person has remote control access to/of my computer, like from India, Polynesia or Missouri, things can appear and disappear from the records. Except of course for those pesky digital footprints...
