A pharmacy owner in Queens, New York, was sentenced to three years in prison for his participation in a health care fraud scheme. Authorities said he falsely claimed to be a pharmacist and distributed more than 10,000 Oxycodone pills. He was also involved in illegal financial transactions.

Harris Hussnain, 41, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud Medicare and Medicaid and subscribing a false tax return in Brooklyn federal court. He was accused of pretending to be a pharmacist at New Moon Pharmacy from July 2016 to December 2019.

Although he was a lawful owner of the business, Hussnain was not allowed to dispense prescriptions to patients as he was not a licensed pharmacist. Despite this, authorities said he continued to do so daily without any medical supervision. He ran the pharmacy for years, distributing controlled substances and thousands of Oxycodone pills.

Hussnain then billed Medicaid and Medicare for the drugs, receiving around $3 million in reimbursements for pharmaceutical claims. He then diverted large amounts of the money to his personal and family bank accounts.

Law enforcement takes an aggressive stance against medical professionals, and others found to be unlawfully supplying prescription medications. Anyone who has been accused of prescription drug fraud in New York should contact a qualified criminal defense lawyer immediately.

Brill Legal Group can protect your rights and obtain the most favorable outcome in your case. We can help you avoid a conviction and escape the worst possible penalties. Contact us today to speak to an experienced New York criminal defense attorney.