The number of pharmacies wrongly claiming rebates jumped 54 per cent last year, the Federal Government claims, with some pharmacists boosting their cash flow by dispensing drugs to deceased patients.
Brendan O’Connor, Minister for Human Services, said a Medicare audit of the PBS reveals more than 170 pharmacies and pharmacists had wrongly claimed almost $2 million for PBS medicines supplied last year, up from $1.3 million recovered from more than 140 pharmacies and pharmacists in 2010.
A recent case involved a Queensland pharmacist who had to repay Medicare $39,000 after data showed the pharmacy had regularly claimed prescriptions multiple times to the value of $35,000.
The pharmacist also claimed $4000 for prescriptions supplied after the date of a patient’s death.
Responding to the allegations,...
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