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Health Dept. Owes Explanation for Data Breach

Florida's prescription drug database has made a good beginning at unmasking doctor-shoppers who rip off the system and reveal the identities of health-care providers who are pushing narcotics. But its existence is tenuous, and the recent unwarranted release of patient information to attorneys in a drug case has  jeopardized its future, the Sun-Sentinel editorial boardsays.

The agency charged with responsibility for the database's security is the Florida Department of Health. The agency owes the public a full explanation.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.