Skip to main content

What are Controlled Drugs?

Medications that can be abused or cause dependance are classified as controlled drugs. They are subject to strict government regulations at every level with an eye on preventing misuse and abuse.

Medical science invented drugs to provide relief from various ailments and enable us to stay healthy. These medications are of different types and work on the human body in myriad ways. While the benefits are wide-ranging, some of them are also known to have a potential of physical or psychological dependance. This can cause addiction, leading to abuse or other kinds of misuse.

Considering the risks involved in such drugs, governments across the world take measures to regulate their use even while ensuring access to the patients.



Control Measures in USA


The United States enacted the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) - as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, 1970 – to control and regulate controlled substance drugs. Accordingly, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the federal government agency responsible for enforcing the Controlled Substances Act right from the manufacturing and handling of the specified drugs to their storage, distribution and usage across the country. The restrictions extend to usage of the drugs for research purposes as well.

Controlled substances include opioids, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens and anabolic steroids that have been categorized into Schedules I through V. The law provides that controlled substances with known medical use(Schedule II to V) will be available only by prescription from a licensed medical professional. Other controlled substances that have no known medical use (Schedule I) are considered illegal in the United States.

This does not mean that all prescription medications fall under the controlled category. Most of the regular drugs that are used for chronic conditions and infections come under the non-controlled category – like diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol medications, asthma inhalers and antibiotics. Medications for nerve pain, sleep, anti-anxiety and ADHD apart from opioid, cannabis and marijuana products have been classified as controlled substances.

The DEA is actively working for suppressing illegal use and distribution of the controlled substances. Additionally, some states levy their own restrictions for substances which might or might not be regulated by the federal government.

International Succor


The United Nations is always vociferously involved in implementing drug control systems across the world. As part of the efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) seeks to support the obligation of governments to establish a system of control for preventing substance abuse, diversion and trafficking to protect the welfare of mankind. Meanwhile, it also perseveres to ensure the adequate availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes to promote good health around the world.

While the regulations for controlled substance drugs are essential on every level, abiding by the licensing, storage, security, dispensing and other requirements can get taxing for pharmacists and healthcare professionals.

Compliance professionals – like the Titan Group – can become your partner in ensuring that the facility stays on the right side of the law both in letter and spirit!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Compliance Provisions for Hiring People with Access to Controlled Substances

It is not just the DEA registrant who is subject to strict regulations. The provisions also extend to staff members who will have access to the controlled substances. Those convicted for felony are barred forever. Everyone is well aware that the manufacture, distribution, administering and dispensing of controlled substances is subject to a bevy of federal, state and local regulations. The DEA controlled substance regulations itself are very exacting and the federal agency keeps strict tabs on all those entities who deal with such substances. The rules encompass even the hiring of staff who will administer, dispense or otherwise come in contact with the controlled substances. Indeed, healthcare providers and other entities are bound to carefully screen new employees and other staff members. However, they also have to run a criminal background check for those positions that will have access to controlled substances. Along with this, they should review the OIG (Office of the Inspector G...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beware of Scammers Posing as DEA Agents

Scammers are impersonating DEA employees to defraud and extort DEA license holders through fake narratives of abusing controlled substances. People should be on their guard as the tactics are convincing. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) maintains constant oversight over the supply and usage of scheduled drugs in the country. They enforce the DEA controlled substance regulations while keeping track of registered healthcare practitioners and pharmacists who prescribe, administer and dispense these drugs. Unscrupulous scamsters are using these regulations in innovative ways to swindle unsuspecting physicians and other DEA registrants. The scams have been taking place on and off since years and follow a similar format to a large extent. The fraudster usually calls the victim impersonating as a DEA agent. They may provide the name of a well-known DEA agent or use fake names and badge numbers. They may even quote the target’s Social Security Number or state license number while sta...
Post a Comment
Read more

Changes Regarding DEA Application Regulations

Those applying for DEA registration and existing registrants have to keep abreast of the changes in the regulations to ensure that they do not run afoul even unintentionally on any occasion. The U.S. law clearly mandates that every physician, nurse, veterinarian or pharmacist that prescribes, administers or dispenses controlled substances should have a controlled substance license registration issued by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Any person can apply for the DEA license using the DEA Form 224. Manufacturers, distributors, researchers, importers and exporters should use DEA Form 225. Complete instructions accompany the forms. These forms are available on the DEA website and could also be obtained by contacting the DEA field office or headquarters. However, since May last year, the DEA regulations have been amended to require all applications for both DEA new registration and renewal to be submitted online only. Indeed, from 11th May, 2022, the DEA has stopped ac...
Post a Comment
Read more