Amid a debate about putting restrictions on physicians, the House has approved a bill that would place a five-day limit on initial prescriptions for pain medication.
House members voted 93-22 on Wednesday to pass the bill (HB 557), sponsored by Rep. Nicholas Duran, D-Miami.
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The bill, which also includes changes related to the state's prescription-drug monitoring program, would limit initial prescriptions of opioids to five-day supplies.
But it drew debate from Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican who is an orthopedic surgeon.
Gonzalez said he opposes the bill because it is "offensive to being a physician."
He said the bill would regulate physicians who are acting in good faith and keep them from providing care that patients need.
But supporter Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, called the opposition "misguided" because of widespread problems with opioid overdoses.
Duran said physicians would be able to write lengthier prescriptions after the initial five-day supplies.