Robbery of Pharmacies
Publication Date: January 2015
This guide begins by describing the problem of pharmacy robbery and reviewing factors that increase its risks. It then identifies a series of questions to help you analyze your local pharmacy robbery problem. Finally, it reviews responses to the problem and what is known about them from evaluative research and police practice. For the purposes of this guide, pharmacy robbery, which falls under the broader heading of pharmaceutical diversion, is defined as the theft by force—or threat of use of force—of prescription drugs for personal use or profit. This definition excludes theft, burglary, backdoor pharmacies, and illegal importation or distribution of prescription drugs. The related issue of prescription drug diversion is covered in a companion Problem-Oriented Policing guide, Prescription Drug Fraud and Misuse.