Pubdate: Sun, 28 Dec 2003
Source: Charlotte Sun Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2003 Sun Coast Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sun-herald.com/newsch.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1708
Author: Charlie Crist, Attorney General

GOVERNOR'S CALL DESERVES RECOGNITION

Editor,

On Dec. 18, the 17th Statewide Grand Jury issued its second interim
report detailing extensive criminal activity surrounding the Florida
Medicaid Program. Corrupt doctors, clinics, pharmacies and Medicaid
recipients are costing the taxpayers millions of dollars through fraud
and risking public health with their actions.

This grand jury has done outstanding work in the area of prescription
drugs. In its first report in February, grand jurors provided
thoughtful recommendations aimed at controlling the act of watering
down prescription drugs. Our office worked with Governor Bush and the
Legislature to pass tough new laws that will have a dramatic impact on
this practice.

My office intends to collaborate during the next session to crack down
on the focus of the grand jury's newest report: the illegal flood of
pharmaceuticals into the market.

Statewide Prosecutor Peter Williams deserves credit for guiding a
process that led to such dramatic findings.

The governor has organized a drug summit that allowed elected
officials to hear from real people who have lost loved ones to
prescription drug abuse. Governor Bush and Col. James McDonough,
director of the Florida Office of Drug Control, are proposing
legislation that would create a database designed to control "doctor
shopping" and "pharmacy hopping" by prescription drug addicts. I
admire and support their efforts.

I look forward to working with true leaders like Governor Bush and his
administration, as well as the Legislature, to dramatically cut off
both the supply and the suppliers of illegally marketed prescription
drugs. Success will be measured in lives saved.

Charlie Crist, Attorney General
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin