Hi, beginning with some background so it makes sense: my (soon to be) ex-husband has a brother who was raised with a different last name (due to a step-parent situation) but they ARE brothers and share the same legal last name. My BIL is a physician with a pretty involved alcohol and prescription problem.
Ok found out my BIL has been writing scripts for hydrocodone in my husband's name. My husband goes to various pharmacies and fills them, then takes the prescriptions to my BIL and gives them back to him. I have to imagine this is distribution, illegal, and dangerous... is there a way to report this so it is caught? Can the DEA or AMA go back and track these scripts or the number of them? An investigation? I thought it was an offense for every pill? He made the comment once of "good luck catching it" but his brother is prescr. Serious prescriptions in his name and my ex is filling them for him!! What can be done?

This is a felony and can be prosecuted. The physician can lose his license over this. This should be reported to the AMA for your location.

... My husband goes to various pharmacies and fills them, then takes the prescriptions to my BIL and gives them back to him. ...

Doesn't the pharmacy keep the prescriptions it fills? If so, how does your husband return the prescriptions to the MD? And, if it's copies, what is the point of that?

Doesn't the pharmacy keep the prescriptions it fills? If so, how does your husband return the prescriptions to the MD? And, if it's copies, what is the point of that?

The OPs husband has the scripts filled then gives the pills to the BIL. Very common for addicts to do.

Ah, I see: H gets the 'scripts, and then gives the drugs back to the brother-in-law, not the prescriptions.

He fills them at various pharmacies around town. The scripts are "legit" as they are written into my husband's name by his brother. My ex then goes to the various pharmacies, fills them as himself... then drives to his brother's home (the dr) and hands the pills over to him. I just can't help but think this is prescription distribution at the very least, as the pills are being re-distributed back to the doctor that wrote the script in the first place! It's been going on for years. I want to say its about 30 pills at a time, maybe weekly/biwkly. The Dr can't write the script for himself, so he does it for my ex, mules him out, then has him return the hydrocodone. I've been very afraid of how dangerous it is health-wise for my BIL and legally for my ex. Now that he's "dared" me to find a way to catch it, I'm tempted. (NOT revenge)... just that it is NOT right. And illegal...
My question is, can the AMA go back and track the prescriptions, where they were filled, etc? I'm wondering if they can somehow verify that my ex was redistributing them to his brother? Probably not... I'm sure (based on different last names on labels so they don't make a family connection) that he shouldn't be filling the prescriptions anyway for a sibling at such a rate. My guess is that they'd need my testimony (I've seen the transfer take place before) but, c'mon, I'd look like the vindictive soon to be ex. How credible would I be? LOL I do know that their other brother did it once for him years ago, but felt uncomfortable and refused to do it again. He wouldn't testify against his own brother Im sure. I just think that there needs something. Its so dangerous. Also, my ex has told me that there is NO way to prove what he has been doing. That he'd say the prescriptions are for himself. :(

We can't report this for you if that is why you are posting and asking how. Report it as J9 stated in her post.

Oh, I'm not asking anyone to report this for me! I can handle that... I was just wondering if others out there thought it had "teeth" and could be somehow really investigated... not to mention if it was just "immoral" v. "illegal."

No, it is positively illegal; in fact a federal offence. Yes, it has teeth. However we could not report it anyway; dont know who you are; dont know who they are; and no names have been mentioned.

Two healthcare workers have just told you from Canada and the US, and possibly Europe could chime in too, it is illegal. Dealing drugs is a Federal offence in any country.

With the advent of the electronic medical record actions such as this are very easy to trace.

I also want to add that it is unethical for the BIL to be writing scripts for his brother as it is ill advised for a physician to treat members of their own family.

It isn't your job to worry about how much teeth it has.
I would report it discreetly, in writing, to the cops. A good divorce lawyer can twist anything around, and your BIL could end up helping your husband to fight you.
If your discreet reporting results in nothing, it's not your concern, unless you and your soon to be ex share children.

Investigations, can take months, a small issue like this, may or may not be looked into.

This is a crime, but it can end very badly. One, it can if the doctor finds an excuse, end up against your ex, worst

Since he is the one, providing the pills, to the doctor.

The doctor, is buying or getting them, so he is the one with the habit or the user.

Doctor may work out deal, to go into treatment, and even work out deal with AMA and your ex go to prison. Not saying it will be this way, but it is possible.

You can notify the AMA, you can notify, the police all of which may or may not look into it.

The trouble with you reporting it, many people, may believe you are just doing it, because you hate your ex.

It is illegal, morality is a issue for the viewer, some will say, it is not really hurting anyone else, so why care.

Presumably the doctor sees patients while doped up. Therefore it is much more than a moral issue, and could very well be hurting every one of them.