Senator Mike Fasano, District 11 — Press Release

Senator Fasano’s Pill Mill and Prescription Drug Monitoring Bill Moves to the Senate Floor

Senator Mike Fasano’s Senate Bill 818 passed the Senate Budget Committee today, its final stop before consideration by the full Senate.  Senator Fasano’s legislation enhances penalties for operators of pill mills, brings the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to a higher standard, and makes other improvements to Florida’s laws regulating pain management.

"Attorney General Pam Bondi  has been a supporter of this legislation from day one,” Senator Fasano states.  “Due to Attorney General Bondi’s hard work, and support from the medical and law enforcement communities, this bill is one step closer to the saving of seven lives per day that are currently lost due to prescription drug abuse and diversion.”

The bill enhances criminal penalties for physicians and other health professionals who do not follow the laws that were put into effect in  2010 regarding standards of patient care in pain management facilities.  Additionally, the legislation reduces the reporting time that prescriptions must be entered into the database from the existing 15 days to 7 days.   The bill also elevates the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to national standards, thus making it eligible for additional federal funding. 

“The Florida Senate has made it clear that the bad actors in the practice of pain management will be treated harshly once they are identified,” Senator Fasano states.  “Through the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and the regulation of pill mills, unscrupulous dispensers and prescribers of controlled substances will be put out of business.”

The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for consideration by the full Senate.

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