Special investigation finds some 60 pharmacies accused in kickback scheme, say B.C. Health Ministry documents

More than 60 pharmacies in British Columbia are accused of offering patients – and even doctors and housing providers – prohibited incentives for their prescription business to maximize the amounts they can bill the province’s publicly funded drug plan, a special investigation unit has heard.The alleged scheme has resulted in some patients not receiving medications that they need and others receiving medications that they do not, while the pharmacies profit, according to the unit of former RCMP officers convened by B.C.’s Ministry of Health. This has compromised patient safety and has resulted in some drugs being diverted to organized crime, posing a risk to public safety, the unit said.