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