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London pharmacist Jignesh Patel has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of a pattern of prescription fraud that caused a £1.3m loss to the NHS.

His colleague Rahil Patel was also sentenced to six years’ imprisonment at a hearing at Southwark Crown Court today (October 16).

They were both found guilty of fraud by false representation and converting criminal property following a three-week hearing.

The men were involved in writing false prescriptions for high-cost medicines and illegally obtaining medicines to send to businesses in continental Europe via Jignesh Patel’s wholesale business.

The sentencing judge said: This was committed out of greed and you were equal partners in the serious fraud designed to make you a lot of money.

“This was a thoroughly impressive investigation, expertly presented on all sides.”

Ben Harrison, head of operations and engagement at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, said: "Our expert investigation team followed the evidence, both in the UK and Europe, to bring these individuals to justice. This case demonstrates that there is no hiding place for those who seek to defraud the NHS.

"Jignesh Patel and Rahil Patel worked together for several years, obtaining drugs using false prescriptions and selling them on to European pharmaceutical wholesale businesses.

"We will actively pursue any criminals that seek to defraud the NHS of vital funds and every pound stolen from the NHS is a pound that cannot be spent on frontline services, and the NHSCFA is committed to pursuing those responsible."