Iowa warns about counterfeit opioid prescriptions

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Board of Pharmacy is warning about counterfeit prescriptions for opioid painkillers.

The council has sent out a warning to pharmacies that scammers are using real doctor credentials to fill prescriptions for oxycodone and promethazine with codeine. Both drugs are Schedule 2 controlled substances and have a potential painkiller addiction if abused.

The council says scammers are using convincing secure paper with providers’ credentials and exploiting a “software glitch” in the prescription pad to bypass electronic prescribing. In some cases, violators use an out-of-state physician’s license number.

The council says scammers are targeting pharmacies in Eastern Iowa and that law enforcement has been contacted.