Pubdate: Wed, 10 Sep 2008
Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL)
Copyright: 2008 St. Petersburg Times
Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
Website: http://www.sptimes.com/home.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Author: R. Wayne Bowen

FLORIDA NEEDS DRUG TRACKING SYSTEM

This article leaves out a very important part of the issue of doctors 
who abuse their prescribing privileges: the role of pharmacists.

Though pharmacists are not tasked with policing doctors, we are 
responsible for the legitimate and medically sound dispensing of 
drugs, especially controlled substances.

However, drug abusers often use several pharmacists, limiting the 
ability of pharmacists to make informed decisions on the excessive 
use of controlled substances.

Kentucky has developed a prescription tracking system to aid 
pharmacists in spotting overuse by prescribers and abuse by patients. 
Florida has considered such a system but has yet to develop one.

A statewide monitoring system would help both Florida pharmacists and 
prescribers better control the illicit overprescribing of controlled 
substances.

R. Wayne Bowen, registered pharmacist, St. Petersburg
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart