Purdue Pledges $1 Million For Prescription-Drug Database

The Purdue pharmaceutical company announced Wednesday that it would give $1 million to help start up Florida's prescription drug database, designed to help doctors know what prescriptions their patients are taking in an effort to crack down on "doctor shopping."

The database has been derided by Gov. Rick Scott as an invasion of privacy, and a bill has been filed in the House to repeal the 2009 law enacting the database. But Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, is a strong supporter of the database and efforts to crack down on "pill mills" or unscrupulous doctors who run pain clinics where powerful prescription drugs like oxycodone are overprescribed.

We understand that the governor of Florida is facing difficult choices and financial constraintsthat may prevent the state from implementing its prescription-drug monitoring program. We appreciate the financial position, but atthe same time believe that a prescription-drug monitoring program in Florida can help curbprescription-drug abuse in that state and in other states, as well.It is our hope that this effortcan become part of a larger public/private partnership to address the abuse and diversion ofprescription medications,"saidJohn H. Stewart, president and CEO of Purdue.

The database has been slow to get off the ground because of a bid dispute, but a court ruling Tuesday has potentially cleared the way for it to go on line.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, a staunch supporter of the database, applauded the court decision.

"The prescription drug database can be an important part of the fightagainst pill mills. Hopefully this ruling will end needless delays to theimplementation of Florida's database," Bondi said.