Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Counterfeit and Diverted Drugs Threaten Public Health and Waste State Dollars

Report 03-18, February 2003




Report Summary

Counterfeit and diverted drugs are a growing problem in Florida and threaten public health and waste government resources. Regulators estimate that the problem costs Florida millions of dollars annually. Counterfeit and diverted drug cases in Florida's prescription drug wholesale industry have risen in recent years, and several Florida permitted drug wholesalers are under active investigation. Current state law does not provide adequate controls over wholesale drug market practices, and current administrative and criminal penalties fail to provide an adequate deterrent.

We recommend that the Legislature

  • clarify state law requiring drug pedigree papers to track drugs back to manufacturers and direct the Department of Health to enforce provisions of Florida law;
  • strengthen the drug wholesale permitting process; and
  • increase administrative and criminal penalties for prescription drug violations.


Related Reports
  1. Progress Report: Legislature Strengthens Pedigree Paper, Wholesaler Permit Requirements to Better Ensure Safe Prescription Drugs
    Report 05-49 October 2005
  2. State Faces Challenges to Improving Community Public Health in Florida
    Report 03-71 December 2003
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
social services, health, public health, drugs, prescription drugs, diversionk counterfeiting, fraud, drug regulation