County ordinance targeting pain clinics under scrutiny

An ordinance that targets alleged pill mills in Hillsborough County has come under scrutiny by medical professionals who say it is too strict.

Commissioner Rose Ferlita is holding a closed-door meeting Tuesday with pain specialists and law enforcement officers to revisit the county's controversial ordinance on pain clinics.

The county passed the ordinance this spring and detectives said it has already helped them crack down on clinics that are accused of dispensing drugs illegally.

However, legitimate pain specialists are complaining to commissioners about the ordinance, which requires stricter hours of operation and more regulation.

"We are obliged to pay yearly fees to the state and the board for their inspection programs and on top of that, now there's another fees and inspection program," said Dr. Rafael Miguel, an anesthesiologist. "It's duplicitous, it's duplicative and unnecessary."

Since the ordinance went into effect, the state has enacted its own guidelines, which took effect Oct. 1. Under the new state law, advertising is limited and doctors cannot prescribe more than three days worth of pills to patients who don't have health insurance.

The ordinance also calls for stricter penalties on doctors who violate the new rules.

Some pain specialists believe the county should get rid of its ordinance so all clinics follow state guidelines.

Ferlita said she is willing to take a second look at the ordinance and to listen to concerns.

"We're taking a look to either explain to them why we're taking action or to listen to them," she said. "Ordinances are always made to be looked at two or three times. If there are some amendments that need to be stated, then we'll do that."

Ferlita said she will take the points of discussion from the meeting to the rest of the Hillsborough County Commission on Wednesday.