A computer database designed to monitor prescription drug clinics in Florida may be delayed for another three months. According to state Senator Mike Fasano, Florida should provide the funds for the long-term operation of the database. Broward County has the largest number of pain clinics in Florida.
More than 200 pain clinics have started in Palm Beach and Broward counties over the past few years. This has contributed to south Florida becoming the biggest single source of narcotic pain pills for abusers and dealers on the East Coast.
In 2009, legislators won a seven-year fight to create a Florida computer database. The goal of the database was to have physicians and pharmacists log every pain medication prescription. This would help physicians and police in identifying those patients who are "doctor shopping."
Fasano said the Dec. 1 start date will most likely be missed. A company in Alabama won the operating contract, but a competitor in Ohio filed a challenge to that contract. This will stall action until at least Feb. 1, 2011.
The database program is also lacking in money. Despite the severe budget problems in Florida, Fasano is asking the state legislators for $500,000 a year to operate the program.
"This will not be easy to accomplish. But I feel confident the money will be there," Fasano said. "There’s no way the legislature or a future governor will let this program go away."
The new laws restrict the pain clinics. One law requires regular inspections of the pain clinics.
"I feel good the way we are going," Fasano said. "We’re already seeing some of the illegal pain clinics packing up and leaving the state."
