The Primary role of the DEA is enforcing controlled substances laws to ensure that they are circulating within the country. A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) must have DEA certification to prescribe controlled substances (DEA, n.d.). PMHNP are tasked with taking care of patients with substance use disorders. As such, the DEA regularly releases guidelines on use of controlled substances such as opioids in treatments. It works closely with PMHNP and state licensing boards to ensure that drugs are not used for illicit purposes (DEA, n.d.). These guidelines ensure that PMHNP prescribe and administer correct doses, preventing negative health outcomes (DEA, n.d.). Furthermore, the DEA investigates any claims of drug misuse and cancels practice licenses for PMHNP found guilty.
Federal requires that all PMHNP apply for a DEA number to prescribe controlled substances. Some states licensure allows PMHNP to prescribe medications such as antibiotics without a DEA number. Notably, the DEA number tasks practitioners with prescribing, administering and distributing controlled substances in an ethical manner (DEA, n.d.). Failing to do so poses health risks and safety concerns for patients. Practitioners with a DEA number are required to act within the scope identified by their respective organizations (DEA, n.d.). This means that PMHNP must be aware of the scheduled drugs that their organizations permit them to prescribe. Practitioners must ensure they keep their prescription blanks in a safe place to prevent unauthorized access to controlled substances (DEA, n.d.). Drug prescriptions must be concise to prevent wrong interpretations by the pharmacist.
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Before applying for DEA number, one must be licensed to practice in their state of residency. Those with pending licensure approvals must wait until their license is granted to complete DEA number registration (DEA, n.d.). For online registration, PMHNP should visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov . Before beginning the registration process; one should ensure they have their social security number, state license information and credit card number. The next step involves completing and submitting the DEA form 224 (DEA, n.d.). This application form consists of six sections that assess background information on scheduled substances. A nonrefundable fee of about $700 is required to complete the application (DEA, n.d.). Those applying through post office must go through a similar process but submit their application through the mail (DEA, n.d.). PMHNPs with revoked or expired licenses are not eligible for a license.
State law requires that all physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and dentists in Minnesota be registered with a prescription drug monitoring program (PMP) as defined in Minnesota Statutes Section 152.126 (Minnesota Department of Health, n.d.). The Minnesota PMP allows prescribers and pharmacists to exercise safe patient care and prevent drug misuse. Additionally, the PMP program contains information on licensed pharmacists and dispensers, which allows prescribers to direct patients to verified pharmacies (Minnesota Department of Health, n.d.). It requires that pharmacies who dispense Schedule II-V drugs submit prescription data into the PMP (Minnesota Department of Health, n.d.). These records help in backtracking in case an issue is raised. Further, prescribers treating a patient with an opioid use disorder are required to query the PMP every 90 days (Minnesota Department of Health, n.d.). Since 2017, state licensing boards are working to improve monitoring implementation of mandated enrollment, website user interfaces and proactive reports (Minnesota Department of Health, n.d.).
Drugs are classified into five distinct categories depending on their acceptable medical use, potential for abuse and dependency risk. Gabbard (2014) indicates that schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse, which could lead to high dependence. An example of a schedule II drug that can be administered in small doses of 15 milligrams is Vicodin (Gabbard, 2014). Schedule III drugs have moderate to low potential of abuse. An example of one that would be prescribed is 90 milligrams of Codeine (Gabbard, 2014). Schedule IV drugs have low potential for abuse. An example of one that would be prescribed in Tramadol (Gabbard, 2014). Schedule V drugs have the lowest potential for abuse. An example is Robitussin AC (Gabbard, 2014).
References
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). (n.d.). Drug Information . https://www.dea.gov/drug-information
Gabbard, G. O. (2014). Gabbard’s treatment of psychiatric disorders (5th Ed.). American Psychiatric Publications.
Minnesota Department of Health. (n.d.). Prescribing Practices: Prescription Monitoring Program . https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/opioids/mnresponse/pmp.html# :~:text=Spinal%20Cord%20Injuries-,Opioids,in%20Minnesota%20Statutes%20Section %20152.126 .
