Healthcare providers that handle controlled substances are subject to a host of DEA regulations that can interfere with their regular activities of treating the patients. Compliance experts can be a boon here. The controlled substances are regulated by the laws of the United States of America for very good reasons. The opioid crisis is a standing example of the havoc that these drugs can unleash on the people and the country. This is not to say that the CSA controlled substances are only a bane or an unnecessary burden. They yield excellent medicinal and therapeutic benefits which makes their usage necessary in the right circumstances. However, it is the illicit misuse and abuse – which can lead to addiction, health issues and even death – that the authorities are worried about. Accordingly, the Drug Enforcement Administration has been tasked with executing the Controlled Substances Act to ensure that everyone who prescribes, administers, dispenses or otherwise handles the controlled substances is working in tune with the mandated legal regulations. In addition to this, the states have their own sets of rules, regulations and licensing requirements. Therefore, those who handle controlled substances have to abide by a host of federal and state requirements. The Other End of Things The value of the Controlled Substances Act and the need for DEA checks cannot be denied on any level. However, what is a physician, dentist, ophthalmologist, veterinarian or even a nurse that prescribes or administers controlled substances to do? Should they focus on diagnosing the ailments of their patients, treating their complaints and nursing them back to health, or direct their efforts on complying with the state and federal controlled substance regulations? Is it possible to scrutinize every patient as a potential abuser who is out to get a fake prescription for a controlled substance by hook or by crook? What about the pharmacists and hospitals? Can they watch every step and cover their back at every instance by considering everybody who walks in with a controlled substance prescription as a suspicious entity with a criminal intent? Not to mention abiding by the varied regulations of storage, security, recordkeeping, inventory checks, disposal and more. Then they also have to keep up with the changes and updates made by the DEA, apart from being prepared for a DEA agent to come knocking on their door for an inspection at any moment. Indeed, the challenges are many and the path ahead is littered with potential landmines of non-compliance. Stepping out of line, even unintentionally, can land the DEA registrant in both legal and financial hot water. The best approach is to engage the services of DEA compliance professionals who will ensure that everything in the facility is always under control and in tune with the legal requirements at every turn. The services extend to those dealing with veterinary controlled substances too. This way, the DEA registrant becomes free to run the practice, treat the patients and dispense the drugs as usual!
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April 2023
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