TRACK PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Our Position: Lawmakers Can Curb Drug Abuse By Approving A New System This
Session.

People who prescribe and use OxyContin for legitimate medical reasons have
no cause to fear a state tracking system proposed to curb abuse of
prescription drugs.

Those who have criticized the proposal say they fear a computerized
tracking system would allow strangers to invade their privacy. That fear,
however, is unwarranted because the proposed legislation includes
safeguards and penalties to protect privacy.

Getting the tracking system in place this year is crucial. Purdue Pharma,
maker of OxyContin, has a deal with Florida that it will contribute $2
million to help set up that monitoring system. That offer has been on the
table since 2002. If lawmakers don't approve the system during this year's
legislative session, the Purdue Pharma money will be lost.

The system is needed to spot individuals who obtain unusually large amounts
of powerful painkillers to either abuse or sell illegally. The monitoring
makes it more difficult for individuals to obtain multiple prescriptions by
going from doctor to doctor. Legitimate patients don't do that.
Prescription drugs have been blamed for 1,000 deaths in Florida between
January 2002 and June 2003.

The importance of getting states to take strong measures was underscored in
a newly released report by the federal General Accounting Office. That
report noted that the states "are responsible for overseeing the practice
of medicine and pharmacy where drugs are prescribed and dispensed." Fifteen
states have set up a monitoring program. For the sake of public safety and
health, Florida needs one, too.