Prescribing Controlled Substances Safely: A DEA Requirement

Course overview

Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Physician Assistants (PAs), Pharmacists, and Dentists care for patients with disorders in many healthcare settings. Individuals may seek care for an acute illness or worsening of a chronic condition. Often, pain is the leading reason for seeking medical care. Appropriate prescribing practices are critical for all medications, but controlled substances require special attention. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) all have a role in controlled medication schedules. Prescribers must understand federal and state requirements for all controlled substances. This course will provide a general review of federal and state-controlled substance regulations and the prescribing practices for controlled substances. Additionally, substance use disorders are complex phenomena affecting many lives. This course also reviews common substance use disorders, including alcohol, anxiolytics, stimulants, hallucinogens, and tobacco/vaping. However, the focus is on clinical safety considerations when prescribing non-cancer-related opioid medications for acute/chronic pain in adults.