Florida pharmacy shut down two weeks ago wins appeal to reopen.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

MIAMI _ A Davie, Fla., pharmacy shut down by the state 12 days ago for dispensing diet pills to Internet customers _ who weren't first seen by doctors _ won an appeal Wednesday to reopen, at least temporarily.

It was a minor step in a major battle because the USA Prescription Web sites connected with the pharmacy, RxNetwork, had spent the 12 days doing business as usual, simply issuing prescription drugs through another South Florida pharmacy.

Last week, while RxNetwork was supposed to be closed, The Miami Herald placed an order with USA Prescription for 30 phentermine diet pills _ a Schedule IV controlled substance _ after filling out a brief online questionnaire.

A licensed pharmacy, Infustat, …