Why did Florida choose to implement a prescription drug database?
While 38 states are already using electronic tracking programs, Florida has remained one of the few states without a method of tracking prescription drugs. As a result of this lack of regulation and monitoring, advocates contend that there is a high rate of prescription drug abuse in Florida. The state has earned a reputation as an easy place to obtain prescriptions for medications such as oxycodone. For example, 40% more oxycodone is prescribed in Florida than the second-leading state, California. Law enforcement claims that many people travel to Florida in order to maintain a steady supply of prescription medication. As new pain management clinics spring up across the state to meet high demand, multiple overdose deaths among pain patients have occurred. The media has reported that other clinics are freely prescribing controlled substances outside Florida Medical Board guidelines simply to make a quick profit. These so-called “pill mills” have been blamed for making prescription drug
