There are several reasons why Florida has become ground zero for dispensation of dangerous opioids for chronic pain, with 90 of the top 100 oxycondone-purchasing physicians in the nation operating in the state, according to a report by the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida's dubious distinction is due to several regulatory weaknesses:
• Florida has not been tracking pain prescriptions, but under a new law, the state will begin tracking this fall, joining 35 other states.
• The state does not automatically suspend or revoke licenses of physicians who are charged with illegally prescribing medicine or who are linked to overdoses.
• Pill mills may be able to evade even the new law by registering with the state as something other than pain-management clinics.
Read the Orlando Sentinel report on Florida pill mills.
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