The COVID-19 pandemic is at the forefront of our minds, but the enduring opioid crisis appears to be raging right under our noses without any signs of giving up! Compliance with DEA is more crucial now. Opioids – derived from the opium poppy plant – are legally manufactured drugs that are subject to controlled substance regulations, and for good reason at that. While they should be primarily used to treat protracted pain conditions that are associated with surgery or cancer treatment, medical practitioners even prescribe these scheduled drugs for other chronic conditions like back and joint pains. Opioid medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine are actually pretty effective in muffling the perception of pain in the body. However, fact is that the same drugs also boost the feelings of pleasure in the body which makes users want to continue experiencing those feelings. At times, the brain even starts believing that the drug is necessary for survival. This obviously leads to addiction over time. While the initial low doses only make the users feel lazy and sleepy, as the body gets used to the dose, it demands more and more. This can prove to be life-threatening over time, as continued use of higher doses can slow the breathing and heart rate, even leading to death. Opioid abuse is not just limited to the prescription pain relievers. There are synthetic versions (fentanyl) and even heroin that are either illicitly manufactured or trafficked into the country. These are not only illegally used, but often combined with other drugs or alcohol which compounds the risks even further. The statistics are staggering. Nearly seventy thousand people in the United States died of opioid-related overdoses in 2020, the highest annual toll on record.Millions of other Americans suffer from the side effects of the addiction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total ‘economic burden’ of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is continuously exacerbating the crisis ever more! Efforts to control the raging epidemic Opioids are classified as Schedule II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act and federal regulators are doing everything possible to limit the domestic supply. Pharmaceutical companies are advised to reduce the production of certain opioids while limits have been instituted on the prescription of opioids as well. There are sustained crackdowns on foreign opioids and trafficking is being dealt with a heavy hand. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Authority) is also being extremely circumspect in its efforts to deter the growing abuse and keeping a watchful eye on physicians, veterinarians, pharmacies and hospitals that prescribe or handle such highly-addictive substances. Staying in compliance with the controlled substances regulations and veterinary DEA regulations has become all the more crucial in this high-risk scenario that has even been declared a public health emergency. Medical practitioners have to stay alert on their part, not only to comply with the regulations, but also in the interests of keeping the community safe and healthy!
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A DEA license is mandatory for prescribing or dispensing controlled substances and this covers veterinarians as well. Following is a look at how to get the license and what it entails in the future. Controlled substances are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) under the Controlled Substances Act. These scheduled drugs can only be prescribed and administered by DEA registrants who hold an active DEA license along with a state medical license or controlled substance permit. This applies to all physicians, dentists, optometrists, physician assistants, scientific investigators, pharmacies and hospitals that prescribe or dispense controlled substances. Veterinarians also need a veterinary DEA license for this purpose. How to get the license? Getting a DEA license is a simple and straightforward process. Meeting the state licensing requirements is an essential pre-requisite here. DEA registration forms are available online on the U.S. Department of Justice website, https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/. The applicant can also request a physical form from the DEA Registration Field Office which will be mailed within 10 working days. The form has to be filled with all the required details before submitting along with the application fee, which is non-refundable. Once the formalities have been completed and approved, the DEA will issue the license. A unique DEA number will also be assigned to the applicant which has to be specified on every prescription or order of a controlled substance medication. However, the license can be denied due to certain reasons. In such cases, the applicant can always appeal the decision. Applicants should keep in mind that they will need a separate license for every location of practice. And in case they shift to a new state, the said information should be duly updated to include the new location. Moreover, the license has to be renewed every three years. Conditions of use It is not just about using the veterinary DEA license to prescribe, administer or dispense controlled substances for animals. The license comes with a list of rules that have to be adhered to for ensuring safe and proper usage of the scheduled drugs. In fact, the DEA uses the license number to track the provider prescriptions and monitor potential fraud and abuse. The registrant will be prosecuted in case of negligence, malpractice, misuse or abuse in any manner – this can range from confiscating the license to initiating criminal action. Furthermore, the license may be suspended in case the state medical license is revoked/denied or if the licensee is convicted for any felony related to a controlled substance. However, keep in mind that healthcare professionals including veterinarians can always practice without a DEA license as long as they do not intend to prescribe opioids, sedatives or other controlled substance medications to their patients. When it comes to obtaining a DEA license veterinary and abiding by the myriad regulations, it is always better to seek professional assistance from a compliance provider. The Titan Group (https://titangroupdea.com/) offers a full suite of services for ensuring full compliance with the legal requirements and responsibilities of dealing with controlled substances. |
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April 2023
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