In Tampa and across Florida, “doctor shopping” is a serious offense that can land you in hot water. Prescription drug abuse contributes to drug-related deaths each year, so the state is cracking down hard on this practice. But what exactly is doctor shopping, and why is it illegal?
What is doctor shopping?
Doctor shopping is when someone visits multiple doctors to obtain more prescriptions for the same meds, usually potent and potentially addictive substances like opioids or benzos. This behavior often involves:
- Concealing visits to other doctors: This means hiding appointments with multiple physicians, like telling your doctor you haven’t seen anyone else.
- Exaggerating or fabricating symptoms: Overstating pain levels or inventing symptoms to get more potent meds.
- Failing to disclose existing prescriptions: Not telling a new doctor about pills you’re already taking.
- Seeking early refills without valid reasons: Claiming lost medications or requesting refills before they’re due.
The penalties are severe and life-changing. You could face up to five years in prison. Fines can reach $5,000, plus probation and a criminal record.
Why is doctor shopping Illegal?
In Florida, doctor shopping is illegal under state law. It’s against the law to hide prescription info from doctors when seeking to obtain a controlled substance or prescription for a controlled substance.
Doctor shopping is a criminal act because it’s fraud. The intent is often to get extra pills to abuse or sell, which endangers others. If caught doctor shopping, you risk serious jail time, hefty fines and a criminal record that’ll haunt you for years. It’s just not worth the risk.