Today, the Judiciary Police arrested an endocrinologist suspected of involvement in a fraudulent scheme to prescribe medicines covered by the National Health Service (SNS), in an operation that had a major focus in Funchal.
The investigation, conducted by the PJ’s Northern Directorate, included several searches in different cities of the country. Still, it was in Funchal that the operatives focused part of their attention, by inspecting the headquarters of a company that, according to the Judiciária, was believed to be acting as a ‘front’ to the now dismantled scheme.
Police targeted searches at the residence of the main suspects, a law firm, a health facility, and the headquarters of two companies, in Albufeira and Funchal, which were believed to be a “façade,” as well as accounting offices in Santa Maria da Feira and Lousada.
According to the PJ, the doctor in question is suspected of being involved in a fraudulent scheme in which she prescribed medication meant for treating type 2 diabetes to clinic patients who, upon further investigation, were not suffering from the disease but were seeking rapid weight loss. The endocrinologist has been charged with fraud and computer falsification.
In addition to the detainee, the authority says that “there are strong indications” of the participation of two other doctors, a lawyer, and a medical clinic.
The Judiciary Police reported that the suspects caused damage to the Portuguese State estimated at around three million euros, through fraudulently obtained reimbursement payments.
Fraud against the NHS includes: deliberate and well-structured schemes aimed at securing high profits for those involved, leading to the misuse of public funds and harming the proper functioning of institutions and public health as a whole. Given the social impact of these crimes, authorities have issued several search warrants and an arrest warrant for the initial judicial questioning of the main suspect in the investigation.
Operation ‘Obelix’, included 40 operatives who carried out searches in the cities of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Lousada, Santa Maria da Feira, Albufeira, and Funchal.
The investigation is under the terms of the DIAP Porto Regional Office.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
