Alberta Pharmacies Battle Rising Prescription Forgeries

Alberta pharmacies are grappling with a notable increase in prescription forgery attempts. The Alberta College of Pharmacy has alerted its members to a continuing trend of heightened forgery attempts throughout the province in the first half of 2026. This issue is also reflected in police reports, with Calgary seeing an uptick in attempted prescription fraud.

Pharmacists describe the forgeries as increasingly sophisticated, making them difficult to distinguish from legitimate prescriptions. These fraudulent documents often target potent medications like oxycodone, oxycontin, and fentanyl derivatives. The sophisticated nature of these attempts suggests potential links to organized crime, with perpetrators sometimes using innocent individuals' healthcare numbers.

Reports indicate a significant rise in documented forgeries. In 2024, 188 forgeries were reported to the College, followed by 149 in 2025. The first half of 2026 alone saw 132 reported incidents, nearly double the total from the previous year. Both Calgary and Edmonton police services are urging pharmacists to report all suspicious activities to aid investigations.

Pharmacists are actively collaborating and sharing information, even through informal online platforms, to combat this growing problem. This collective effort aims to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the medication supply chain. The Alberta College of Pharmacy encourages reporting to law enforcement as part of a broader initiative to support ongoing investigations into prescription fraud.