By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-987062.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida has been cracking down on pharmacies and pain clinics dispensing large amounts of prescription drugs, known as pill mills. Lynn Hatter reports, A Senate Health Committee heard updates on the state's progress Tuesday.
Florida's pill mill crackdown includes a change in regulations, the confiscation of millions of pills from independent pain clinics and the creation of a new database to keep track of prescriptions. Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Jeff Beasley says the legislature's actions on pill mills has made a difference.
"There were 35-million dosage units of oxycodone purchased in the first five months of 2010 compared to under a million in the first five months of 2011."
State Senator Mike Fasano says he's pleased with the results but notes that the state can do more. He wants to make it mandatory for doctors to submit information to the drug database and would like to see the program receive state money. Right now the program is funded through grants and donations.