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Training for Dealing with Controlled Substances

It is difficult to comprehend and execute all the regulations related to controlled substances. Training from a reliable source will arm health care providers with the requisite knowledge and skills.

Handling controlled substances is no easy task. A host of challenges crop up at every step of the way. And any tiny lapse or misstep can bring untold consequences – from misuse and abuse to drug diversion. Not to mention that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is constantly breathing down the neck to ensure that everything is in order when it comes to the regular and veterinary controlled substances.

In fact, hospitals, pharmacies, health care providers and others who prescribe, administer or dispense scheduled drugs are subject to myriad DEA regulations that stem from the Controlled Substances Act. Staying in conformity has to become a matter of course while the facility carries out its routine operations.

But this is easier said than done. Shocking cases of health care institutions/providers violating the DEA obligations crop up on a regular basis. The most perturbing fact is that the abeyance is not always willful; there are scores of stories where a physician or pharmacist unknowingly did or failed to do something which led to the misuse or diversion of the scheduled drugs in their possession.

And the fallout can be severe. Apart from the repercussions on the users and patients, the DEA registrant stands to face devastating consequences. Rather than regretting the inadvertent gap or gaffe in hindsight, it is always better to take suitable measures that the facility meets all the rules and requirements in toto.

How to do it?


The best approach is to outsource the job of compliance to a professional consultant. Compliance service providers can secure the DEA registrant’s workplace from any possibility of DEA action by ensuring that everything conforms with the law in both letter and spirit.

Apart from assessing the procedures and protocols related to controlled substances and advising on how to streamline the activities, compliance firms also provide training to the staff. The controlled substance training can relate to different subjects like:

Compliance training – This provides guidance on interpreting and implementing the regulations for achieving and maintaining ongoing compliance. The comprehensive understanding will build compliance expertise.
Veterinary drugs training – This provides regulatory compliance expertise on achieving and maintaining ongoing compliance for veterinary controlled drugs.
Drug diversion training – This provides the knowledge, oversight and necessary tools for detecting and preventing drug diversion. The staff will gain expertise in protecting against the internal and external threats of drug diversion.
Audit training – This provides the knowledge and resources for conducting a controlled substance drug audit. Thereby, attendees will understandabout controlled substance inventory, tracking controlled substances from acquisition to disposal and negotiating a successful reconciliation of controlled substance inventory.
Security training – This provides comprehensive information on storing and safeguarding controlled substances. The useful tips and practical advice for scheduled drugs managementwill ensure that thepractice is safe and fully compliant with the regulations.

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