Audit Points Finger At Abuses In Medicaid Drug Prescription Program

State Auditor Claire McCaskill has released an audit of abuse by some Medicaid patients receiving prescription drugs. The audit finds many such patients are “doctor shopping” – going from doctor to doctor to obtainprescriptions for these drugs, then selling the drugs on the street. McCaskill is particularly concerned about the drug OxyContin and the fact it is being sold on the street for a very handsome price – up to $80 a tablet. The Department of Social Services has announced new controls regarding OxyContin are now in place as a result of the audit. A pharmacist will be notified when a person tries to obtain prescriptions too often.