A law sponsored by state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, that aims to enhance the penalties for pill mill operators, passed the Senate Health Regulation Committee today. The bill will move to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee next. #
Fasano, a long-time proponent of a state Prescription Drug Monitoring database, created the bill in an effort to strengthen that program, which would track pill mills and doctor-shoppers in the state. The program was recently shot down by the Florida Health and Human Services Committee, who passed a bill to end it, but supporters like Fasano have remained undeterred. #
If passed into law, S.B. 818 would require that physicians be trained in the use of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and would make the database eligible for additional federal funding. #
“The Florida Senate has sent a strong message that the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and the regulation of pill mills, is the way to put unscrupulous dispensers and prescribers of controlled substances out of business,” Fasano said in a press release. “Unlike the Florida House, which wants to undo the years of work that have brought needed regulation to the pill mill industry, the Florida Senate is serious in its efforts to combat the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs.” #
