Archive Index / PDMD Database Goes Into Effect Thursday, September 1, 2011 (posted: 08/30/11)

Source: Florida Department of Health
Contact: DOH Office of Communications

 

- Florida DOH continues campaign to combat prescription drug abuse -

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) today provided an update on its statewide campaign to combat prescription drug abuse.

On September 1, 2011, any health care practitioner who has dispensed a controlled substance, as defined in section 893.03, F.S. (i.e., OxyContin®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Klonopin®, Xanax®, and Valium®), is required to report dispensing information to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database within seven (7) days after dispensing, in accordance with section 893.055, F.S. This includes pharmacies licensed under chapter 465, F.S., and dispensing health care practitioners licensed under chapters 458, 459, 461, 462, or 466, F.S.

Today the new law requiring the use of DOH-approved counterfeit-resistant prescription pads when prescribing controlled substance(s) will be enforced. The effective date to use the prescription pads was originally July 1, 2011. However, after DOH learned of unintended consequences to law-abiding doctors and patients with legitimate health care needs, the supplemental order issued by State Surgeon General Dr. Frank Farmer added language to delay the requirement for practitioners to use DOH approved counterfeit-resistant prescription pads by 60 days.

“Allowing the practitioners who are approved to prescribe controlled substances more time to order the prescription pads was necessary to ensure public safety over the long term,” stated State Surgeon General Dr. Frank Farmer. “Now is the time to start using them.”

The statewide public health emergency declaration issued by State Surgeon General Dr. Farmer on July 1, 2011 ends today. The declaration was instituted as a proactive step to combat the illegal distribution of prescription drugs by working with law enforcement officials and other state agencies to focus on the physicians that are of the highest concern due to their purchasing and dispensing levels.

“While the statewide public health declaration may no longer be in effect, the efforts of the Florida Department of Health, law enforcement partners and other state agencies remain strong,” said Governor Rick Scott. “We have made great strides and will continue to, in our fight against prescription drug abuse, and I applaud the professional work of both the Department of Health and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.”

Practitioners with additional questions can call DOH’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance Customer Contact Center at (850) 488-0595.