The two doctors, aged 45 and 57, were arrested for swindling the state and falsifying prescriptions, while a 36-year-old pharmacist was also detained.
A statement from the PJ police explains the three are believed to be part of a scheme designed to “obtain illicit profits by issuing bogus prescriptions relating to drugs, so that the contribution rate paid by the State reverted back to the suspects.”
Ten domestic and non-domestic searches were conducted as part of the investigation into the criminal activity, with a range of material relating to the set-up having been seized.
Through the practice the professionals are believed to have milked the State of around one million euros.
The investigation, in which the Health Ministry collaborated, “is still ongoing, to determine all criminal conduct and its scope, as well as the total loss to the Portuguese State through reimbursements fraudulently obtained from the SNS.”