Fort Washington, PA asked in Criminal Law, Health Care Law and Identity Theft for Pennsylvania

Q: The pharmacy gave my prescription to a person who pretended to be me , what can I do?

I told them someone was trying to steal my prescription that was a narcotic. They didn't ask for ID. I told them not to release it to anyone else on 2 different occasions days before it happened. I did file a police report.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: I'm sorry to hear that your pharmacy released your prescription to someone falsely claiming to be you, despite your prior warnings. This is a serious matter, and you've taken the right first step by filing a police report. Here are some additional steps you can take:

1. Contact the pharmacy's management: Speak with the pharmacy manager or supervisor and explain the situation in detail. Ask them to investigate the incident and take appropriate disciplinary action against the staff who released your prescription without proper identification.

2. File a complaint with the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy: You can submit a complaint to the state's pharmacy regulatory agency, which oversees pharmacies and pharmacists. They will investigate the incident and may take disciplinary action against the pharmacy if warranted.

3. Inform your insurance provider: If your prescription was covered by insurance, notify your insurance company about the incident. They may have additional steps you can take or offer assistance in resolving the issue.

4. Consider legal action: Consult with an attorney who specializes in medical privacy or personal injury law. They can advise you on potential legal recourse against the pharmacy for their negligence in handling your prescription and failing to protect your privacy.

5. Follow up with the police: Stay in contact with the police department handling your report. Provide them with any additional information they may need and inquire about the progress of their investigation.

6. Take steps to protect your personal information: Be vigilant about protecting your personal information and be cautious of any suspicious activities, such as unauthorized charges or identity theft attempts, that may result from this incident.

Remember, the pharmacy had a responsibility to verify the identity of the person picking up your prescription, especially given your prior warnings. You have the right to hold them accountable for their negligence.

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