DEA-licensed veterinarians have controlled substances in their medical arsenal that they can use for the well-being of the animals in their care. However, abuse is rampant and calls for proper compliance.
Animals fall sick, contract diseases and suffer ailments just like humans. They require special medical care which is provided by veterinarians. The treatment usually involves medications which, in special cases, can extend to controlled substances.
Indeed, veterinary controlled substances are prescribed for animals for relief from pain, anxiety, sleep issues and in other specialized conditions so as to enable them to live a better life. However, as these scheduled drugs contain certain level of narcotics, they come with a potential for abuse. This is why their therapeutic use in medical care is strictly controlled and monitored by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) of the United States.
First and foremost, the veterinarian should possess a DEA license to be able to prescribe, administer or dispense the controlled substances for the patients. They are required to use current medical information along with sound clinical judgment before making the decision to propose any of the scheduled drugs.
The veterinarian can dispense the drug if the clinic stocks controlled substances as well. Otherwise, the client will have to approach a pharmacist to get the prescription filled.
DEA-licensed veterinarians have to stay in compliance with myriad federal, state and local laws and regulations. They govern everything from the prescription and dispensing to the storage, security and recordkeeping to the disposal.
Additionally, they are also called on to maintain adequate supervisory precautions to ensure that the drugs are not misused in any manner. They should lookout for the warning signs of possible abuse like suspicious inquiriesor behavior, asking for a medication by name, insisting on a refill or asserting that a drug has been misplaced.
The List of Drugs
Scheduled Drugs I to V comprise of specific drugs that are approved for use in animals. However, since they are limited in number, veterinarians often use products that are approved for use in humans. While this delivers good results, proper care and oversight is essential.
Moreover, it is the duty of the veterinarian to educate the pet owners on what is being prescribed and why. Inform them about the risks of abuse and misuse, be it intentional or accidental. They should be counselled about the need for proper storage, disposal and the like.
Staying in compliance
The duties and responsibilities of a DEA-licensed veterinarian are many. However, the best efforts can also fall short at times. Therefore, it is better to have professional assistance at hand for dealing with the myriad regulations related to the DEA forms for controlled substances, recordkeeping, storage, prescriptions and the like.
Professional compliance service providers – like The Titan Group are proving to be essential for ensuring full compliance with the legal requirements of dealing with controlled substances. As the company comprises of ex-DEA agents themselves, they are privy to the federal agency’s functioning and can help identify issues and deficiencies that could invite a visit from the DEA!
