Prescribing or dispensing controlled substances without the requisite DEA license is considered a crime of the first order. Find out more about what the license entails and who needs to obtain the same.
The Controlled Substances Act mandates that all medical professionals and pharmacists that handle the controlled substances in any form should obtain a license from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). There are strict regulations for DEA registration and even DEA registration renewal at regular intervals.
Post registration, a DEA license will be issued and the license number has to be quoted on all prescriptions and other forms. It should also be accompanied by the signature of the registrant or other person who holds a power of attorney for the same.
Following is a list of the professions that require a federal DEA license by law:
- Physicians – It goes without saying that every physician who intends to prescribe or administer controlled substances to the patients will need to procure a DEA license for his/her practice.
- Nurse Practitioners – These are advanced registered nurses whose duties may also entail administering controlled substances to the patients. If such is the case, they have to be armed with a DEA license.
- Physician Assistants – A physician assistant who is authorized to issue prescriptions for controlled substances has to obviously register with the DEA for a license.
- Optometrists – Healthcare professionals that conduct eye examinations may also prescribe certain controlled substances for eye diseases. In such cases, they will require a DEA license.
- Dentists – Similarly, some dentists may also need to prescribe/administer controlled substances to their patients for dental issues, primarily for pain relief. Therefore, they will require a DEA license.
- Veterinarians – It is not just about treating humans with controlled substances; even healthcare professionals that prescribe or administer such drugs to their animal patients need a DEA license to ensure that their operations are legal and above board.
- Pharmacists – It is not just about medical professionals, everybody that deals with or dispenses controlled substance medications in any manner need to be licensed for the same. As the pharmacist is the last link in the supply chain, they cannot get away without being in legal compliance with the DEA.
In sum, if controlled substances pass through a person or entity’s hands, they will need to be licensed to prescribe, administer or administer them.
How to obtain a DEA license?
Applicants have to fill and submit the DEA Form 224 for obtaining a DEA license. An application fee will also have to be paid along with the form. Additionally, the applicant will be screened carefully before granting the license. Obtaining the license also mandates meeting the state licensing requirements for practicing medicine. The license should be active and not old or archived.
A compliance service provider is the best resource for everything from obtaining a DEA license to, say, staying in compliance with the veterinary DEA regulations. They can finetune the operations to ensure full compliance at all times even to the extent of arresting inadvertentnon-conformity.