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 Oklahoma, prescription fraud is considered a serious offense and is addressed under both state and federal laws. Under Oklahoma statutes, such as the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, it is illegal to forge, alter, or obtain a false prescription for controlled substances. This includes forging a prescription, using a forged or fictitious signature, obtaining drugs through a fraudulent prescription or telephone call, and possessing drugs obtained by these means. Additionally, 'doctor shopping,' which involves obtaining prescriptions from multiple healthcare providers without disclosing other prescriptions for similar drugs, is also illegal. Violations of these laws can lead to felony charges, which may result in imprisonment, fines, or both. Furthermore, prescription drug fraud is a federal crime under 21 U.S. Code §843, which prohibits the forgery, alteration, or fraudulent obtaining of prescriptions for controlled substances. Penalties under federal law can also be severe, including prison time and substantial fines.