DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Local pharmacies are accused of ripping off active military members and a U.S. government insurance provider called Tricare.
Court records uncovered by Action News Jax show that at least four Jacksonville-based pharmacies were accused of providing kick-backs and up-charging prescription drugs.
Some of the pharmacies will pay upfront and then turn over part of their profits over the next five years. In all, the pharmacies will pay more than $30 million to settle the fraud complaints.
- MedMatch Pharmacy, 6789 Southpoint Parkway, Jacksonville, $4.7 million
- OHM Pharmacy, $4.1 million
- WELLHealth Pharmacy, 12276 San Jose Boulevard #707, Jacksonville, $3 million and 50 percent of net profits for five years
- Topical Specialists, $2.2 million
- Durbin Pharmacy, 14965 Old Saint Augustine Road Unit 108, $2.1 million and 50 percent of net profits for five years
- North Beaches Pharmacy, 1510 Penman Road, Jacksonville Beach, $10,000 and 50 percent of net profits for five years
Our partners at the Jacksonville Business Journal first reported the findings. Since then, Action News Jax learned that the agreement said the settlements are not an admission of guilt by the pharmacies.
The Defense Health Agency gave a statement that said:
"We applaud the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida's office for holding these pharmacies accountable for their actions. Their egregious actions targeted American service members, veterans and their families, and in many cases offered them products with little or no substantiated evidence they would improve health outcomes. The Defense Health Agency is continuing to work closely with the Justice Department and other state and federal agencies to investigate all those who participated in these nefarious, fraudulent practices."
Med Match, LLC issued the following statement:
"Med Match resolved an investigation brought by the federal government. Although Med Match strongly denied any liability and was prepared to defend its actions, management decided to settle the matter to avoid costly litigation and to allow us to continue our focus on our patients."
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