State Legislators Refuse to Fund Drug Database, Law Enforcement Volunteer Funds

Law enforcement officials across the state of Florida are volunteering to pay for a proposed drug database that lawmakers have refused so far to pay for, according to a Sun-Sentinel news report.
Healthcare providers and pharmacies could utilize the drug database to determine whether an individual is truly seeking prescriptions for legitimate medical needs or for drug abuse. The database, which law enforcement officials believe would be their greatest strength against prescription drug abuse and pill mills, is estimated to cost approximately $500,000 per year.

Taxpayer dollars would not go toward maintaining the database and the state has enough money from federal and private grants to operate the system for approximately 18 months. So far, 29 sheriffs and police chiefs have come forward to offer money, according to the news report.

The drug database was approved in 2009 by the state legislature. Despite heavy opposition against launching the system, the state Department of Health expects to assign an operating contract and deploy the database by the end of summer, according to the news report.

Read the news report about funding the drug database in Florida.

Related Articles on Drug Databases:
rug Database Helps Tennessee Physicians Spot Prescription Fraud
University Researcher: Pharmacies, Not Physicians, Are Source of Pill Mill Problem
Florida's Surgeon General Signs Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Into Effect

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