Issuing, obtaining, or attempting to obtain a false (forged, altered, or unauthorized) prescription to obtain drugs (narcotics, controlled substances)—or otherwise deceptively or fraudulently obtaining or attempting to obtain a prescription for a controlled substance—is a crime in every state, and in many states it is a felony offense punishable by jail or prison time. Some common forms of prescription fraud include:

(1) forging a prescription or increases the prescribed quantity of a dangerous drug in a prescription;

(2) issuing a prescription bearing a forged or fictitious signature;

(3) obtaining or attempting to obtain a dangerous drug by using a forged, fictitious, or altered prescription;

(4) obtaining or attempting to obtain a dangerous drug by means of a fictitious or fraudulent telephone call; or

(5) possessing a dangerous drug obtained by a forged, fictitious, or altered prescription or by means of a fictitious or fraudulent telephone call;

(6) obtaining or attempting to obtain a prescription from a health care provider without disclosing the existence of a current prescription for the same or similar drug or by another health care provider (doctor shopping).

Prescription drug fraud laws are usually located in a state’s statutes. Prescription drug fraud is also a crime under federal law. See 21 U.S. Code §843.

In Connecticut, prescription fraud is considered a serious offense and is addressed under various statutes. According to Connecticut General Statutes Section 21a-266, obtaining or attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge; or by the forgery or alteration of a prescription; or by the use of a false name or the giving of a false address is illegal. This includes forging prescriptions, using a forged prescription to obtain drugs, and 'doctor shopping' to obtain multiple prescriptions for controlled substances without proper disclosure. Penalties for prescription fraud in Connecticut can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Additionally, under federal law, specifically 21 U.S. Code § 843, it is a crime to commit acts such as distributing or dispensing a controlled substance by means of a fraudulent prescription. Violations of this federal statute can result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.