Skip to main content

Red Flags of Drug Misuse and Abuse

Most DEA registrants are genuine and law-abiding citizens. Yet, it is easy for them to fall prey to unscrupulous elements if they don’t pay attention to the potential red flags in patient behavior.

DEA registrants are in the thick of things when it comes to drug diversion. They are subject to a host of DEA controlled substance regulations for this very reason. It is very easy for them to abet or even indulge in misuse and abuse of controlled substances, either intentionally or even unintentionally.

Indeed, it often happens that physicians and pharmacists that are registered to handle controlled substances often fall prey to illicit elements that manipulate them to obtain illegitimate access to these scheduled drugs.
 

More than aware of the possibilities, the DEA has informally identified a number of red flags that should raise suspicions about the veracity of the ‘patient’s’ claims. Like:
  • Patient visiting a physician earlier than recommended
  • Patient insisting on a particular medication
  • Patient complaining of ‘symptoms’ that cannot be clinically correlated to their condition on physical examination
  • Patient complaining profusely about having lost or misplaced a prescription/medication
  • Patient traveling an unusually far distance to fill the prescriptions
  • Nearly identical prescriptions written by the same doctor for two people with the same last name and same address
  • Filling prescriptions for drug cocktails like opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, etc. for the same patient
  • Patients paying for drugs in cash
  • Filling prescriptions for the same drug in different quantities for the same patients
  • Multiple prescriptions for the same medication presented on the same day
  • Early refills wherein a patient submits a prescription before he/she should have finished the supply from the last refill

Therefore, the circumstances surrounding the patient or the presentation of the prescription can raise suspicions of validity. The DEA registrants should keep their eyes and ears open for such dubious activities and act on them accordingly. The best approach is to simply refuse to prescribe or dispense the controlled substances in such situations.

Moreover, DEA registrants should be proactive and engage with the regulators. It is better to alert the authorities about such suspicious behavior so that they can investigate the culprits and take punitive action accordingly.

Having anti-diversion protocols in place is also vital for all entities that prescribe, administer or dispense controlled substances, including veterinary controlled substances. Here, it is all about training the team so that they are well-versed with the regulations on the one hand and familiar with how to identify the red flags in the regular course of work.

Navigating these demanding waters can become easier when the DEA registrants have a professional compliance service provider on their side. They offer tailored services to ensure that the registered entity always fulfills its obligations without stepping out of the law in any instance. There will be reviews, assessments, audits, training et al to ensure that the physician or pharmacy is in good standing vis-à-vis its obligations as laid out by the Controlled Substances Act.
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