Form 222 is the equivalent of a prescription pad for ordering and transferring controlled substances. It calls for vigilance and judicious usage to avoid any possibility of abuse or violation of the DEA rules. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) takes its responsibility of enforcing the Controlled Substances Act seriously and prescribes a series of rules and regulations towards this end. DEA registrants have to follow specific procedures and paperwork while prescribing, administering and dispensing the scheduled drugs. For instance, DEA form 222 is mandatory for ordering or transferring Schedule II drugs. Copies of the forms are sent to the physicians at the time of registration and they can later be ordered from the DEA headquarters or field offices. Online ordering facility is also available. The forms are usually mailed within 10 days of receiving the request. The form used to be in triplicate and the top copy had to be filled in indelible ink or through a typewriter. The registered healthcare practitioner has to fill the complete name and address information at the top (corresponding with the details on the DEA certificate) followed by the name, size and quantity of controlled substances. The date and signature of the registrant comes at the bottom of the form. The top copy had to be sent to the pharmacist, middle one to the local DEA office and the bottom retained in the physician’s records. A similar procedure is followed for transferring Schedule II controlled substances, like sodium pentobarbital, between laboratories, pharmacies or clinics. The lab or clinic sending the drugs serves as the ‘pharmacy’ while the receiving party is the one who has to fill and send the forms. Change in Procedures From the end of October last year, the DEA has overhauled this system by moving to a single copy form. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, the triplicate DEA 222 forms are no longer available or allowed to be used. The new single sheet forms can be ordered from the DEA office like earlier. Responsible usage The guidelines for using the DEA form 222 remain the same. The DEA registrant is charged with carefully securing the forms and retaining both the executed and unexecuted ones. The proper procedure is to make a list of the unique form numbers and record the date when each is used. The form should never ever be signed before it has been completed. Prudent and judicious usage is mandatory as any kind of laxity opens the door to misuse and abuse of these dangerous drugs. Therefore, the physicians should always be alert and follow the rules while maintaining utmost security for the forms. The best approach is to engage the services of compliance professionals. They will ensure that the DEA registered facility operates within the norms of the law at all times by meeting all the requirements and responsibilities of dealing with controlled substances. What sets the Titan Group (https://titangroupdea.com) apart is that they know the DEA because they have been the DEA!
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