The President of the Pharmacy Council of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a firm warning to both pharmacists and patients regarding prescription fraud, stating that those involved could face criminal charges.
According to Antigua Observer, Algernon Roberts made the remarks as a follow-up to the publication's earlier coverage on the practice of doctor and pharmacy hopping — a term used to describe patients who visit multiple doctors and pharmacies to obtain multiple prescriptions.
Roberts stated clearly that pharmacists have an obligation to report patients who are found to be obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors. He stressed that participation in such fraudulent activity carries serious legal consequences, including potential criminal prosecution.
The warning underscores growing concern within the local healthcare community about the misuse of the prescription system in Antigua and Barbuda. Pharmacy hopping is widely associated with efforts to obtain controlled or restricted medications in quantities beyond what any single doctor would legitimately prescribe.
As reported by Antigua Observer, Roberts' comments represent a direct call to action for members of the pharmacy profession, placing the responsibility on pharmacists to serve as a line of defense against prescription abuse and fraud in the twin-island nation.
