The sale of an illegal prescription drug involves criminal activity. Selling prescription drugs illegally is considered as when a person initiates into the purchase, sale or trade of prescription drugs which have been illegally or legally obtained.
Illegal Purchases and Sales of Prescription Drugs
The sale of illegal prescription drugs occurs in different ways. Initially, drug dealers may be involved in selling prescription drugs illegally. Moreover, health care workers with access to prescription drugs, such as a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, sometimes engage in the sale of prescription drugs. Also, teenagers may exchange or sell prescription drugs available in their homes, such as attention deficit hyperactivity drugs like Ritalin. Finally, illegal prescription drugs are sometimes sold via prescription drug fraud, when a person either impersonates a doctor or steals a prescription pad to write prescriptions.
Prescription Drugs Commonly Sold Illegally
While there are numerous types of prescription drugs which are sold illegally, some common drugs are:
- Percocet
- Tylenol with codeine
- OxyContin
- Vicodin
- Ritalin
Penalty for Illegally Selling and Purchasing Prescription Drugs
Every state has different laws which apply to the illegal sale of prescription drugs. Generally, this is treated as a felony offense. Consequently, there is usually a significant likelihood of prison time as a sentence for the crime if a defendant is found guilty. Depending upon the particular state and the nature of the crime, the law applied may be based upon pharmaceutical standards as opposed to criminal drug charges. Frequently, this lesser charge is seen in instances involving first time offenders or minors. In addition, all states have medical licensing laws applicable to health care workers, which generally trigger the loss or suspension of the license in instances of criminal activity. Finally, if the sale of prescription drugs is based upon fraud, fraud and racketeering laws may be triggered, which usually have significant penalties such as lengthy prison terms and sizable fines.
Getting Legal Help
If you have been charged with selling, attempting to sell, possessing, or any other type of criminal charge relating to the sale of prescription drugs, it is crucial to engage the services of an experienced criminal attorney. An experienced criminal attorney will be able to review your case and advise you as to your rights. In addition, the attorney may be able to take action to prevent any negative consequences to your professional license and your reputation.
