Florida Department of Health: SSG Emergency Order

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Oct. 9 -- The Florida Department of Health issued the following news release:

In an effort to keep our health care partners informed and prepared to facilitate care during Hurricane Michael, please see Governor Rick Scott's Executive Order declaring a state of emergency covering 35 counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. Following a request from Governor Scott, President Donald Trump approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration. This declaration will provide important resources and assistance from the federal government, including personnel, equipment and supplies, as well as making available funding sources for emergency protective measures.

As State Surgeon General, I have also issued an emergency order. This emergency order allows health care professionals holding a valid, unrestricted and unencumbered license in any state, territory, and/or district to assist our state with response and recovery efforts and also provides a reporting extension to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for counties included in the Governor's Executive Order. I would also like to note that per statute, if the PDMP is nonoperational or if it cannot be accessed by the prescriber or dispenser because of temporary technical or electrical failure, there is no duty to consult prior to dispensing.