State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, one of the most vocal proponents of a statewide prescription drug monitoring database, now wants to tweak E-FORCSE, the database that will be available beginning Oct. 17. The statute creating the database currently contains a provision making it voluntary for physicians to consult the database before prescribing a controlled substance. Fasano wants it to be mandatory.

As The Florida Independent has previously reported, the two major doctors groups in the state (the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association) have already pledged to support the database, and are encouraging their respective members to consult it before prescribing medication.

“If a doctor took a few moments to request a patient advisory report from the database, doctor shoppers would be identified very quickly, especially now that the maximum reporting time to the database has been cut down to seven days,” says Greg Giordano, Fasano’s chief legislative aide. “Additionally, possible interactions with other medications their patient may be taking can be identified, especially if the patient does not self-report to the doctor what they have been prescribed by another practitioner.”

According to Giordano, a patient advisory report can be generated in only a few minutes. “Once a doctor is registered with the database all they have to do is submit an electronic request and a report will come back moments later,” he says. “We have been assured that it is not a time-consuming action.”

Though Fasano believes that most doctors will likely consult the database, a requirement ensures the further safety of patients across the state.