Florida Pain Clinic Society Opposes Rx Monitoring System Repeal

Governor Scott's proposal is illogical and will harm efforts to stem Rx medication abuse

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Florida Society of Pain Management Providers (www.Flspmp.org) opposes Governor Scott's proposal to repeal the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The PDMP system is the single most important weapon in the war on Rx drug abuse, not only in Florida but in the other 42 states where legislators have approved their operation. Since 1939 when California initiated the first PDMP these systems have proven to be invaluable in controlling the diversion of Rx medications. Diversion of Rx medications through "Doctor Shopping" is a primary method of supply for those abusing and dying from these drugs. The PDMP monitors less than 200 prescription medications out of the 13,000 produced.

Florida law (Statute 893.13) makes the practice of "Doctor Shopping" illegal yet without the PDMP system there is no effective way to enforce the law leaving honest physicians in the precarious position of unknowingly prescribing narcotic medications to a possible abuser or dealer.  

Florida's many years of failure in initiating a PDMP system allowed it to become the epicenter of Rx drug abuse and now just as Florida's PDMP system is finally set to go operational Governor Scott calls for it to be abolished. Based on the know facts we believe Governors Scotts position to be illogical and unsupportable; furthermore it is a position that is contradicted everyday in Florida.

Governor Scott's reasoning for repealing the PDMP: "Is that a function of government to track the activities of law-abiding people in order to track a smaller subset of criminal behavior?'' the Governors spokesman Brian Hughes told the AP.

Every day "law abiding" residents of Florida:

• who purchase certain over the counter cold medicine (Sudafed, etc…) have their names stored in a database yet Governor Scott does not call for the repeal of the pseudoephedrine purchase database (FL statute 893.1495).  A tracking database that has helped stem the spread of methamphetamine (meth) abuse.
• who purchase controlled substance medications have their names stored by pharmacies and openly available to law enforcement on demand yet Governor Scott does not call for the repeal of the drug control records law (FL Statute 893.07)

(3) The record of all controlled substances sold, administered, dispensed, or otherwise disposed     of shall show:

(b) The correct name and address of the person to whom or for whose use,

(c) The kind and quantity of controlled substances sold, administered, or dispensed.           ….records shall be kept and made available ……..for inspection and copying by law enforcement officers…….

We urge all Floridians and locally elected officials to contact Governor Scott and voice your opposition to his proposal: Governor Rick Scott/ 400 S. Monroe St. / Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

(850) 488-7146 or e-mail at www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/

Contact your legislator and voice your support for the PDMP:

www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find  and www.myfloridahouse.gov/ (click on find your representative)

About the FLSPMP:

A Florida not for profit Corporation organized for the advancement of pain management

1. To ensure Floridians access to affordable and effective pain management through the use of controlled medications.
2. To ensure physicians the right to treat chronic pain with controlled medications.
3. To ensure that physicians and facilities operate in a safe and responsible manner.

SOURCE Florida Society of Pain Management Providers

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