Iowa Pharmacist Imprisoned for Fraud Scam Keeps License

Regulators issue warning but allow Brock Fischer to continue practicing despite million-dollar scheme.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:34pm

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The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has ruled that Brock Fischer, a 29-year-old pharmacist from Linn County, Iowa, will be allowed to keep his pharmacist's license despite being imprisoned for his role in a million-dollar scheme to defraud major retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. Fischer was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, but the board opted to only issue him a warning rather than suspend or revoke his license.

Why it matters

The decision by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to allow Fischer to retain his license despite his criminal conviction has raised concerns about accountability and public trust in the medical profession. While Fischer's fraud scheme did not directly impact his pharmacy work, some argue his unethical actions should have resulted in more severe professional consequences.

The details

According to court records, Fischer was part of a five-person conspiracy that purchased items online, created fraudulent tracking data to claim the items were returned, and then kept or resold the merchandise while collecting the refunds. The scheme involved nearly 10,000 fraudulent returns valued at over $8 million. At his sentencing, the judge commented that she was "hard-pressed to think why somebody who managed to complete a doctorate in pharmacy" would engage in such "clearly stealing."

  • On July 2, 2024, police executed a search warrant at Fischer's home and seized $85,000 in cash, cryptocurrency wallets, computers, and cell phones.
  • In May 2025, Fischer was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for his role in the fraud scheme.

The players

Brock Fischer

A 29-year-old pharmacist from Linn County, Iowa, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for his role in a million-dollar scheme to defraud major retailers.

Iowa Board of Pharmacy

The state regulatory agency that oversees pharmacist licenses in Iowa and recently decided to allow Fischer to retain his license despite his criminal conviction.

Senior U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington

The judge who presided over Fischer's sentencing and expressed confusion over why someone with a pharmacy doctorate would engage in such unethical behavior.

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What they’re saying

“To me, this is clearly stealing. I mean, this is clearly stealing.”

— Senior U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington

“Through persistence and growth, I was recently hired at a small-town pharmacy. This role gives me the opportunity to once again serve the public, especially the elderly and patients in long-term care facilities.”

— Brock Fischer

What’s next

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has warned Fischer that any future failure to comply with board rules or state laws could result in further action against his license.

The takeaway

The decision by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to allow a pharmacist convicted of a million-dollar fraud scheme to retain his license has raised concerns about accountability and public trust in the medical profession. While Fischer's criminal actions did not directly impact his pharmacy work, some argue his unethical behavior should have resulted in more severe professional consequences.