Topic: Prescription Drugs

The Florida House overwhelmingly passed a bill Thursday that would legalize the use of low-THC marijuana to treat epilepsy and cancer patients. The Governor says he'll sign the measure after it wins Senate approval Friday.

Remember the House auto-reader in 2013? Or the epic early morning end to the 2011 session? Rep. Perry Thurston, House Democratic leader, says a meltdown is possible if the Senate doesn't pass the in-state tuition bill. AP Writer Gary Fineout points to other bills that could cause problems. But others say they don't see it happening. "Nah -- all is well," House Speaker Will Weatherford said.

Bill sponsor Travis Cummings said the bill would provide framework for the industry. The House will take up the Senate proposal Wednesday. Members had no questions when it was introduced Tuesday.

The proposal expands the responsibility of nurses and creates a regulatory structure for telemedicine. It is seen as a response to a statewide physician shortage.

Opponents of the bill said allowing doctors to override a plan designed to be effective for patients and reduce cost for the state is not wise.

The difference in estimates of the proposal's cost vary by nearly 900 percent. State economists Monday will analyze a proposed regulation for the state health insurance prescription drug benefit.

Three lawmakers sponsoring medical marijuana bills Monday took part in a symposium and discussed how the plant can be used to control muscle spasms and seizures. They say if an alternative proposal, a constitutional amendment, is passed then the legislature will need to craft rules for doctors who prescribe marijuana.

An amendment lifted the cap of pharmacy techs, but bill sponsor promised to put one back.

The House proposal would give advanced nurse practitioners more authority but it has yet to be scheduled for committee.

The bill, by Sen. Denise Grimsley, does not offer advanced registered nurse practitioners as much authority as a House bill does and will be heard Tuesday afternoon in the Health Policy Committee.

Large pharmacies can handle unannounced audits but they frustrate small business owners without the staff to accommodate auditor's requests, according to Sen. Aaron Bean.

Lawmakers demanded a state drug-purchasing contract be rebid in 2011 and when it was the Department of Management Services awarded the contract to the same vendor. The losing bidder protested, but the protest was dismissed this week.

The senator, who represents Clay, Bradford and Alachua counties, acknowledges that his support to legalize the compound from the marijuana plant has raised concerns among his voters. He said he was drawing a distinction between the abuse of an illegal substance and the legitimate use of a plant to help suffering children. ... Related Research: Sen.Rob Bradley Letter to Constituents Regarding SB 1030.

Agency is reviewing nearly 2,600 cases handled by Pensacola lab analyst Joseph Graves, accused of swapping illegal drugs for over-the-counter medicines.