Tracking Rx Meds

The drug company that makes OxyContin has been taking steps to curb misuse of the drug, reformulating its pills to prevent abusers from snorting or shooting up the drug. Now, OxyContin’s manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, is offering $1 million to help fund Florida's prescription drug tracking system. The money would be provided over two years to fund what has been named the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).

There are still legal hurdles that need to be overcome as well as what seems to be ambivalence from Florida Governor Rick Scott and House Speaker Dean Cannon, possibly because of the cost of implementation. In response, John H. Stewart, the president and CEO of Purdue, said he hopes to mitigate whatever financial constraints may prevent Governor Scott from implementing the program.

While the financial aspect is a concern to cash-strapped states, prescription drug monitoring could help curb prescription drug abuse, an ever-growing problem in the U.S. Another issue that will need to be overcome is the concern over patients’ privacy. Some who don’t support the program argue that if the pills can be tracked, then information on the individuals those pills were issued to can also become public.

There are still kinks to be worked out in the system, but monitoring has the potential to curb prescription abuse, something addiction experts and law enforcement see as needed.

Prescription Drug Addiction

If you or someone you love is in need of prescription drug addiction, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.