Governor Crist signs SB 462 - Prescription Monitoring Law

Contact: Greg Giordano (727) 848-5885
Date: June 18, 2009

Senator Mike Fasano Announces that Governor Crist has Signed Prescription Monitoring Program into Law

Senator Fasano announces that Governor Crist has signed SB 462, which creates the Prescription Monitoring Database Program, into law. The bill passed both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives during the regular session of the Florida legislature which ended on May 1.

The program will curb the abuse of controlled substances as well as increasing regulatory authority over so-called "pill mills." Senator Fasano's legislation directs the Florida Department of Health to work in conjunction with the Office of Drug Control to create a program that will provide stricter regulation of pain management clinics, reduce the incidents of doctor shopping, and provide safeguards for patients who legitimately need and use controlled substances.

In Florida nearly 6 people per day die due to the abuse of prescription drugs. Additionally, Florida has become the destination for people from states without a prescription monitoring program to come and purchase their drugs. 38 other states have some form of a prescription monitoring program. Florida now becomes the 39th.

Patient privacy and safety were Senator Fasano's top concerns as he worked with the health care community to craft this bill. In conjunction with the Governor's Office of Drug Control, the bill was written to assist in weeding out medical professionals in the pain management arena who cast a dark shadow over those legitimate professionals who work hard to provide for the needs of their patients.

"It has been heartbreaking to hear stories of parents and families who tell of their loved ones overdosing on legal medications," Senator Fasano states. "In fact, three times as many deaths in Florida are caused by overdosing on legal medications than illegal drugs. This bill will move Florida into the 21st century by putting additional health care safeguards into law as well as giving regulatory authorities the ability to investigate health care providers who misuse their medical privileges."

The bill takes effect on July 1, 2009.

Governor Crist signs SB 1122 - Assignment of Benefits

Despite weeks of intense lobbying by influential Health Plans, Governor Crist this week sided with the patients and physicians of Florida by signing SB 1122.

The FMA is to be commended for spearheading a statewide PR effort and for mobilizing all specialties to weigh in supporting the legislation.

The ability to receive direct payments for services rendered has been a major initiative for FSA. In fact our own FSA leadership was invited to brief the Governor's senior staff as to the importance of this legislation to our specialty.

Your Society has been proud to stand front and center with the FMA in seeing this legislation become law.

Kurt W. Markgraf, MD
Legislative Committee Chair

David G. Whalley, MD
President, 2008-2009