A sophisticated tracking system that monitors when, where, how much and how often prescription drugs are dispensed was launched throughout Florida this week. Law enforcement will use the tracking system to help reduce the illegal distribution of painkillers, and identify addicts and drug dealers.
The tracking system, known as the Electronic Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substances Evaluation, enables physicians to request patients’ prescription drug histories. Pharmacists and other health professionals who prescribe narcotic-grade medication such as oxycodone and hydrocodone have seven days after painkillers are dispensed to report the information to the database.