Explosion in number of fraudulent prescriptions for phentanyl drug

Tuesday 11 September 2012

Dispensing chemists are concerned about the increasing number of people obtaining prescriptions for painkiller phentanyl under false pretences for recreational use.

Phentanyl, also known as China White, is an opium-based narcotic analgesic which is inhaled. It affects the central nervous system and may increase tolerance for pain. It is used by cancer patients as a strong painkiller.

People who abuse Phentanyl as a recreational drug visit a doctor or a hospital outside their region in the evening or at the weekend with a well-informed story as to why they need the drug, according to dispensing chemists organisation KNMP.

'They say they are on holiday or away on business and have forgotten their medicine,' a spokesman told the Volkskrant. 'Because there are now digital records, there is no way of checking during the evening or at weekends.'

Huge rise

The number of fraudulent prescriptions has risen in a few weeks from a handful each year to between three and eight each week, the KNMP says.

Dispensing chemists sometimes spot these fraudulent prescriptions because they are suspicious of 'seriously ill patients' who are out and about at strange times or because they so often have a repeat prescription.

The health inspection agency confirms the increase and says it is investigating, reports the Volkskrant.

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