InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk Recognize Supporters of Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program E-FORCSE

InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk Recognize

Supporters of Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program E-FORCSE

Polk County, FL – Prescription drug abuse is harmful to our community, but the encouraging news is that Florida has made many positive strides since 2010 to overcome the stigma of being known as the “Pill Mill Capital”.  The Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, known as E-FORCSE^® (Electronic-Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substance Evaluation Program), was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature to encourage safer prescribing of controlled substances and to reduce drug abuse and diversion within the state. E-FORCSE is currently utilized by over 600 Polk County individuals and practices to help doctors and pharmacists view the prescription history of patients to determine whether misuse may be taking place.

InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition for a Drug Free Community are helping to further promote this important initiative to prevent prescription drug misuse in our county by distributing copies of the E-FORCSE "Prescriber and Pharmacist Registration Quick Guide" to those in the healthcare community not enrolled in the program and encouraging them to sign up.

We would like to recognize those who have recently agreed to utilize E-FORCSE in their practice:

Claude A. Hearn, D.M.D., P.A., Winter Haven

Robert W. Sutton, D.M.D., P.A., Lakeland

Jean Berlonge, M.D., Auburndale 

Lakeland Family Pharmacy, W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland

Lakeland Family Pharmacy, Innovation Dr., Lakeland 

CVS, SR 540 W, Winter Haven

Lea D. Wheeler, D.M.D., Lakeland 

F. George Mehanna, M.D., Lakeland 

Agnini Family Dental, Lakeland 

According to a 2014 Nova Southeastern University Study of Florida Physicians, "a majority of participants believe that the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is a useful tool for monitoring patients' controlled substance histories."  Locally, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has credited this program with assisting local law enforcement by reducing access to individuals who may possibly be doctor shopping.

For information on local support of the E-FORCSE initiative, please contact InnerAct Alliance’s CommunityResource Manager, Michelle Shiver, at (863) 802-0777, or by email: michelle.shiver@inneractalliance.org