Every DEA registrant will have a unique DEA number which has to be specified on all prescriptions and other transactions as a mode of verification and authenticity. It should be used only where required.

All healthcare providers that intend to prescribe, administer or dispense controlled substances to their patients have to apply for a DEA controlled substance license. This requirement extends to veterinary controlled substances as well.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is responsible for regulating these scheduled drugs under the Controlled Substances Act and will issue the license after meticulous screening and other checks. This also involves certification and testing requirements as specified by state and federal law.

Once the registration is complete, the healthcare practitioner (be it a physician, optometrist, dentist, veterinarian, physician assistant or nurse practitioner) will be assigned a DEA number. This number is unique to every registrant and it has to be quoted on all transactions involving controlled substances. It follows that any physician cannot write a prescription for opioids, morphine, steroids or other controlled substances without having a valid DEA number.

Healthcare practitioners working in a hospital or other institution are permitted to use the employer’s DEA registration number in the usual course of their professional practice, but subject to a list of specifications. The DEA-registered hospital or institution should authorize the said physician to prescribe or administer under its DEA registration. It should also assign a specific internal code number (like an ID string) at the end of the DEA number for each person so authorized.

Please note: A valid DEA number consists of2 letters, 6 numbers and 1 check digit. It may look like BR1234563 and is based on a specific format for the letters and the check digit. This verifies the healthcare practitioner’s validity and can also reveal the identity of the prescriber.

The DEA relies on this identification to regulate and monitor who is prescribing the controlled substances and the quantities thereof. It maintains a Controlled Substance Act Database to carefully track provider prescriptions and monitor potential fraud and abuse. The verification has often helped check illegal distribution of controlled substances.

A Word of Caution

Registrants should keep in mind that the DEA specifically ordains that the registration number should only be used for authenticating and tracking prescriptions for controlled substances. This limitation is imposed for security reasons and it advises healthcare providers to opt for the National Provider Identifier (NPI) – issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - for general identification.

In fact, the use of DEA number for identification purpose is deemed inappropriate as it can end up weakening the registration system!

Finally, abiding by the slew of DEA regulations related to DEA controlled substance licenses and other aspects of their use can become a tall order for a regular physician’s practice. Why not ensure that nothing can go wrong right from the word go by engaging the services of a compliance professional like the Titan Group (https://titangroupdea.com/)?