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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!
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