Prescription Drug Database Goes Into Effect Thursday
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
By: Gina Jordan

Aug. 31, 2011 | WMFE - Florida's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program goes into effect tomorrow, Pharmacies will have to gather detailed information about who is prescribing certain medications and who is receiving them. The information will be tracked in a statewide drug database.

The prescription drug monitoring program is designed to put an end to pill mills in Florida.
Law enforcement officials say the rogue pain management clinics offer easy access to narcotics.
The state legislature passed a bill last spring meant to crack down on the pill mill problem.
Statistics show seven people die every day from prescription drugs.
At a bill signing event in Tampa, Gov. Rick Scott addressed Florida’s reputation as the “Pill Mill Capital.”

“I’ve gotten calls from governors all across the country, especially east of the Mississippi, about how many of their residents come down here to get these drugs illegally.” Scott said.

The governor’s office says the powerful narcotic Oxycodone is dispensed far more often in Florida than in other state combined.
After September 1st., any health care provider who  supplies a controlled substance must report the information to the drug monitoring database within seven days.
There are some exceptions. State corrections facilities, nursing homes and hospitals are exempt.