A Stockholm-based pharmacy is suspected of defrauding at least ten Swedish regions of millions of kronor through inflated invoices for a botox medication used to treat excessive sweating, according to reports. Six doctors and pharmacists have been arrested on suspicion of defrauding Region Stockholm of multi-million kronor amounts. The fraud allegedly involved the licensed medication Myobloc, which is used for treating patients with extreme sweating problems and is not covered by standard pharmaceutical benefits, allowing prices to be set manually per package.
According to Johanna Mattsson, coordinator against welfare crime in Region Stockholm, the pharmacy reportedly purchased the medication at significantly lower prices than what they billed the regions for, attempting to defraud approximately 30 million kronor. While 25 million kronor was reportedly stopped, five million kronor was lost. The affected regions include all major metropolitan areas, with Västra Götaland confirming they have also been affected and reported the company to the Economic Crime Authority.
the pharmacy reportedly purchased the medication at significantly lower prices than what they billed the regions for, attempting to defraud approximately 30 million kronor. While 25 million kronor was reportedly stopped, five million kronor was lost.
Region Dalarna's operations manager Maria Gradén confirmed that the pharmacy attempted to charge considerably higher prices for Myobloc, amounting to about 120,000 kronor for Dalarna. Mattsson emphasized the seriousness of misappropriating tax funds in this manner, calling it a form of fraud.
the pharmacy attempted to charge considerably higher prices for Myobloc, amounting to about 120,000 kronor for Dalarna.
Mattsson emphasized the seriousness of misappropriating tax funds in this manner, calling it a form of fraud.