Florida's New Law Demands Sickle Cell Training for All Drug Prescribers

Florida has passed a new law requiring all drug prescribers to complete certified training on sickle cell treatment. The move comes after years of advocacy by patients and families affected by the disease. Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts Black communities, with 90% of cases occurring in Black individuals, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The law was championed by Rep. Felicia Robinson and others who pushed for mandatory two-hour training sessions. Their efforts followed testimonies like that of Josiah Frierson, a sickle cell survivor who shared his fear of hospitals due to past negative experiences. His account echoed the struggles of many patients who face bias and stigma in healthcare, as noted by Dr. Foluso Joy Ogunsile, Medical Director for Memorial Healthcare System’s Sickle Cell Medical Home.

Andrea Hall, Executive Director of Shak’s Hope Foundation, sees the law as a way to hold the healthcare system accountable. Her daughter, Shakira Hall, died from sickle cell disease at 30. Hall hopes the new law will encourage more clinics to provide supportive care for patients. Sickle cell disease causes severe pain, affects every organ, and can shorten life expectancy by 20 years. These challenges were also highlighted in a New England Journal of Medicine article, which detailed patients’ battles with pain and discriminatory treatment. The new law aims to improve care for sickle cell patients in Florida. It requires prescribers to understand the disease and its treatment better. Advocates believe this could lead to more clinics offering specialised support and reduce the stigma patients often face.