Cyprus authorities are investigating a Greek doctor suspected of involvement in a major drug prescription fraud ring in Greece.
The Cyprus Ministry of Health, State Health Services Organisation (SHSO), and Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) have identified a Greek doctor working as a personal physician for the General Health System (GHS) at a rural health centre near Nicosia.
Greek media reported that the ring, comprising doctors, pharmacists and healthcare visitors, allegedly prescribed narcotics, antipsychotics and drugs in short supply, including diabetes medications used off-label for weight loss.
The group reportedly issued prescriptions under the names of foreigners not registered in Greece’s digital prescription system, filled these prescriptions, and sold the drugs for profit.
Greek police have arrested 16 individuals, including four doctors. One doctor, though officially employed at a Greek health centre, is believed to be a Cyprus resident practising medicine on the island.
Health Minister Michalis Damianou and the HIO have requested official information from Greek authorities, sources said.
HIO is examining the doctor’s prescription practices in Cyprus, although any local operations would likely have targeted foreigners not registered with GHS.
As of Tuesday, Greek police had not indicated the ring was active in Cyprus, explaining the lack of prior notification to Cypriot authorities.
The doctor in question reportedly has about 1,000 GHS beneficiaries and is on leave until 20 September.
Greek authorities allege the ring’s activities began in January 2020, with doctors and pharmacists issuing fictitious prescriptions using data from foreigners no longer in Greece or in various institutions.
The fraud allegedly involved 90,186 false prescriptions, causing damage to the Greek state exceeding 3.5 million euros.
Greek media have released recorded conversations between ring members, and economic police reportedly have testimony regarding both prescription fraud and black market drug sales.
