Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2011 Source: Savannah Morning News (GA) Copyright: 2011 Savannah Morning News Contact: http://www.savannahnow.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/401 IT BEATS NOTHING CRITICS OF state Sen. Buddy Carter's bill to help track drug prescriptions in Georgia are right about one thing: Its voluntary nature may lessen participation and might provide an out for shady doctors or pharmacists who dish out addictive pain pills like candy. Still, one must consider the difference between what might be preferable in a perfect world, and what has a better chance of passing the state legislature. As passed in the Senate, Mr. Carter's bill provides for a computerized database to make available information now filed only on paper forms. The paperwork filed with the state by doctors and pharmacists contains the same information, but the method is so slow that some illicit prescription drug dealers or addicts are able to "doctor shop" and get the pills before the paperwork catches up. Even after the filings are processed, there is no easy way to cross reference who is getting the drugs and who is prescribing them. This shortcoming in current law not only allows prescription drug abuse and unethical behavior by some doctors or pharmacists, it also puts the offices of reputable medical professionals at risk of unwittingly supporting addiction. Under Mr. Carter's bill, filing the reports remains mandatory. But referring to the database before issuing a prescription would be up to the doctor or pharmacist. It wouldn't be mandatory. Hence, as veteran Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team member Ron Tyran said, it's a weak fix. Mr. Tyran has a point. However, the database would be an added tool for those reputable operators - the vast majority of doctors and pharmacists - to protect the health of their patients and their practices. It's better than what Georgia has now. Requiring doctors to check the database before issuing every prescription would necessitate an enforcement effort and a penalty (probably a fine) for those who don't cooperate. It also means more work for physicians' staff. Mr. Carter's bill might not be perfect. But it is a step in the right direction. We hope lawmakers approve it. Then, perhaps a few years down the road, Mr. Carter can revisit it. See if Georgia has become less of a pill-seeker magnet. Examine the level of participation among health care professionals. If the numbers are trending in the right direction, then leave it voluntary.But if prescription drug abuse remains at the current unacceptable level, then add a dose of Mr. Tyran's tougher medicine. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.