An Indian-origin pharmacist and his employee have each been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by Southwark Crown Court for executing a massive prescription fraud against the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) valued at over £1.3 million.
Pharmacist Jignesh Patel, 46, owner of Wise Pharmacy and wholesale firm Actipharm Ltd in north London, alongside employee Rahil Patel, 42, were convicted of three counts of fraud by false representation and two counts of converting criminal property. Justice Cole noted the fraud was driven by greed, describing the pair as equal partners in the scheme.
The fraud unfolded between January 2015 and November 2017, when the duo generated 1,639 fraudulent prescriptions using the names of 24 General Practitioners without their knowledge. The fake prescriptions covered 6,983 items, primarily targeting high-cost hospital-grade medications such as Sprycel and Noxafil.
The duo claimed £1.3 million in NHS reimbursements for the false claims before illegally exporting and reselling the drugs to pharmaceutical wholesalers across Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium.
An international probe led by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA), alongside European law enforcement, uncovered the scam.
Authorities revealed that enforcement officers will now initiate proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover the stolen public funds.
