Prescription Drug Abuse Update

Attached you find facts and information regarding the prescription abuse epidemic in the US and Florida: In October 2011 the Drug Enforcement Administration on Friday announced the formation of a new squad created to solely investigate the illegal use and distribution of prescription drugs in Central Florida. That squad is investigating rogue doctors and pharmacies, and details of their first probe — involving a Winter Park pharmacy — was one of several cases statewide announced by the nation's top law-enforcers. In this context it is of concern in June 2011, DEA received 263 applications for new pharmacy licenses nationwide. Of those, 139 were from Florida. That means that the drug dealers in white coat referring their "patients" to "friendly" pharmacies to fill their prescriptions for controlled substances. Most of these clinics are probably owned by the same business people who run pain clinics. About 170,000 Medicare patients sought prescriptions for frequently abused drugs from five or more physicians and other health professionals in 2008, a Government Accountability Office analysis of claims data found.The Oct. 4 report accused 1.8% of the Part D beneficiary population of doctor shopping for one or more of 14 abused drugs, such as painkillers hydrocodone and oxycodone. Spending on the drugs cost the program $148 million, representing 5% of the total spent on these drugs in 2008. Some examples quoted in the report include: One Georgia patient obtained prescriptions for a 1,679-day supply of oxycodone pills from 58 prescribers, the GAO said. A physician treating the patient recalled her asking for early refills of the painkiller repeatedly; A patient in California received prescriptions for fentanyl from 21 prescribers in 2008. The patient's physician later received a letter from the state prescription drug-monitoring program informing her that within a four-month period the patient had 33 prescriptions from 10 prescribers. The physician then notified the patient that she would no longer treat the patient. The best way to prevent doctor shopping is through state prescription drug-monitoring programs. Each of us by now should have access to E-FORCSE, Florida's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and use it to look up each and every patient who is being prescribed a controlled substance. The House of Representatives voted on 12.08. 2011 to ban synthetic drugs nicknamed "bath salts" and other compounds that mimic marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines (http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/08/2537445/house-votes-to-ban-synthetic-drugs.html#ixzz1gZAWX7YG).Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., said his legislation identifies chemical compounds that affect the brain in ways similar to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. They would be added to the highly restrictive Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The bill also bans chemical compounds in synthetic drugs marketed as "bath salts" or "plant food" and under brand names such as K2 and Spice that have been used as substitutes for cocaine and other narcotics. They are now sold legally in some states.The vote was 317-98, with some Democrats saying the bill went too far in restricting chemicals that could be valuable to researchers looking for cures to diseases such as Parkinson's disease. When a drug is placed on Schedule I, said California Democrat Zoe Lofgren, "It becomes difficult to obtain not only for illegal purposes but for researchers who wish to study its pharmaceutical and medical potential.A Miami Herald editorial titled "Dangerous prescription" the Miami Herald called for a federal law banning the online sale of narcotics. Such a legislation must be enforced through a strong, combined effort. Authorities along with domain registering websites, social media networks and credit card companies need to be alert to spot online pill mills and report suspicious activity involving illegal, counterfeit and dangerous products. We should strongly support such efforts because questionable online pharmacies skillfully abuse loopholes to provide anyone with controlled substance of their choice provided they can pay. Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/09/2539336/dangerous-prescription.html#ixzz1gZByFnoW