Vermont Woman Charged with Doctor Shopping
Late last week, a Vermont woman was charged with what police and prosecutors call “doctor shopping”. This phenomenon…actually referred to as prescription fraud…is on the rise across the country.
In fact, California has its fair share of cases, especially since Los Angeles is home to so many celebrities and other affluent people who suffer from drug addiction. This state’s “doctor shopping” laws are addressed under California Health and Safety Codes 11153 and 11173 HS.
Under these laws, a patient is guilty of “doctor shopping” or prescription fraud when he seeks the same prescription(s) from multiple doctors and/or pharmacies without telling the physicians or pharmacies about the others.
California Health and Safety Code 11173 HS punishes patients who pursue these prescriptions. Health and Safety Code 11153 HS punishes doctors who issue illegitimate prescriptions. And because this state is tough on the “war against drugs”, both of these California drug offenses subject the offender to up to three years in the state prison.
