Cates A. Medication, ID Theft, and Health Care: A Haven for the Criminal Element. J Biolaw Bus. 2006;9(4):61-64.

Fraud in medication claims results in significant false claims. Yet the systems that purportedly are designed to detect such claims are limited in effectiveness. In combination with the porousness of the US drug supply, the criminal element has entered into the pharmaceutical distribution world with little risk and high returns. To address this combination, spot testing and patient education is important so as to reduce the millions in fraudulent expenditures associated with false drug claims and to protect the public's health.