Electronic Orders for Controlled Substances

DEA is proposing to revise its regulations to provide an electronic equivalent to the DEA official order form, which is legally required for all distributions involving Schedule I and II controlled substances. These proposed regulations will allow registrants to order Schedule I and II substances electronically and maintain the records of these orders electronically. The proposed regulations would reduce paperwork and transaction times for DEA registrants who handle, sell, or buy these controlled substances. This proposed rule has no effect on patients' ability to receive prescriptions for controlled substances from practitioners, nor on their ability to have those prescriptions filled at pharmacies. In fact, this rule will help to ensure the appropriate supply of controlled substances throughout the distribution system.