Texas law takes prescription drug fraud very seriously.
The state recognizes varying types of prescription fraud and classifies the charges based on multiple factors.
Types of prescription drug fraud
Every prescription drug fraud case has some variation in circumstances. However, some common types include:
- Delivering a prescription or form in a professional setting without a valid medical reason
- Prescribing a controlled substance using a fake, suspended, or revoked registration number
- Falsifying documents to prescribe or obtain a controlled substance
- Forging a signature on a prescription
- Altering a valid prescription to increase dosage or refills
- Impersonating a healthcare professional to prescribe medications
- Stealing a legitimate prescription pad from a medical professional to forge a prescription
Many clinics and hospitals now use digital prescriptions sent directly to the pharmacy, making many forms of prescription drug fraud more difficult.
Classifications under Texas law
In Texas, the classifications for prescription drug fraud depend on the type of drug involved. For example, someone guilty of fraud involving a Schedule V drug, which is lower on the addiction scale, could receive a Class A misdemeanor charge, serve one year in jail, and pay upwards of $1,000 in fines. Schedule III or IV drugs move up to a felony charge, resulting in 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Finally, Schedule I or II drugs could mean up to 20 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
If you face a prescription drug fraud charge, the specific details of your case are important in understanding the possible consequences.
