October 4th, 2011

From the New York Times:

A new report reveals startling findings about the growing abuse of Medicare by beneficiaries seeking to obtain prescription drugs. To obtain these drugs, beneficiaries engage in such practices as “doctor shopping” and visiting different pharmacies to fill the subsequent prescriptions. The report was compiled by the Government Accountability Office and is to be presented at a Senate hearing today, Tuesday, October 4.

“Our analysis found that about 170,000 Medicare beneficiaries received prescriptions from five or more medical practitioners” for 14 types of drugs that are frequently abused, said Gregory D. Kutz, director of forensic audits and special investigations at the accounting office.

Read more about the report’s findings on prescription drug abuse from the New York Times.