Do we need a limit on pain clinics ?

Convicted felons or bad doctors could no longer own pain clinics under a measure approved by the Senate to rein in so-called pill mill operators who lawmakers say are little more than legalized drug dealers.

The Senate unanimously approved the measure (SB 2272) but the House has yet to vote on its version of the crackdown, a priority of state attorneys in South Florida, where the pain clinics have proliferated.

But Michael McAuliffe, Palm Beach County's top prosecutor, said the bill doesn't go far enough to shut down the clinics, one of his main priorities this legislative session.

By registering and regulating private pain clinics, we can limit some abuses of their improper operations. However, we need to strengthen the dispensing restrictions. Also, the Legislature needs to fund the enforcement portions of the bill, McAuliffe said.

There is currently no money attached to the bill for law enforcement or Health Department officials to inspect the clinics.

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