As should be clear from the section on Pill Mills, variable state laws are part of the problem. 
    An example is the striking state to state variability in Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs) Twelve of the 50 states (including Georgia) do not yet have operational prescription monitoring programs. PMPs collect, monitor, and analyze electronically transmitted prescribing and dispensing data submitted by pharmacies and dispensing practitioners. Many states provide PMP information to Law Enforcement for drug investigations and to Licensing and Regulatory Boards for investigation of health care professionals who prescribe or dispense controlled substances.   
     The recently developed Florida PMP was not funded by the state.  Instead volunteer contributions were needed before the PMP could begin operations. 
     PMP regulations vary substantially from state to state, and the agencies under which they operate vary as well.