Three arrested in Alexandroupoli over illegal prescriptions

Police in Alexandroupoli, northeastern Greece, on Friday arrested three people, a 39-year-old pharmacist, a 62-year-old doctor and another 38-year-old man of unspecified occupation, who are alleged to have illegally used the social security numbers (AMKA) of a number of unsuspecting individuals to illegally prescribe medicines and subsequently claim money from insurance funds.

A search of the suspects’ homes turned up 157 boxes of medicines lacking the special stamps bearing serial numbers issued by the National Organization for Medicines (EOF).

The EOF puts the stamps on all pharmaceutical products before they are sent to pharmacies and hospitals in a bid to retain state control over suppliers.

The three suspects face charges of fraud and forgery.