Dispensing and Purchasing Controlled Substances over the Internet

This notice is intended to provide guidance to prescribers, pharmacists, law enforcement authorities, regulatory authorities, and the public concerning the application of current laws and regulations as they relate to the use of the Internet for dispensing, purchasing, or importing controlled substances. This guidance document explains when controlled substances can be legally purchased from U.S.-based Internet sites. This notice clarifies that consumers must have valid prescriptions to obtain controlled substances legally and that consumers cannot legally purchase controlled substances from foreign supplier Internet sites and have them shipped to the U.S, unless the consumers are registered with DEA as controlled substances importers and are in compliance with all DEA requirements.