Which organization regulates the prescription of controlled substances?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the organization that regulates the prescription of controlled substances. Established under the Controlled Substances Act, the DEA is responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States. This includes overseeing the legal use of various drugs categorized into schedules based on their potential for abuse, medical use, and safety.

Pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals must comply with DEA regulations when prescribing, dispensing, and administering controlled substances to ensure they are used safely and appropriately. The DEA also registers prescribers and pharmacies that handle controlled substances, monitors their activities, and investigates violations to maintain public safety.

Other organizations, such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), play a significant role in the overall regulation of medications, including approving drugs for use. However, the FDA does not specifically regulate the prescription process for controlled substances. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) focuses more on public health and disease prevention rather than the regulation of substances. Likewise, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is concerned with workplace safety and health, not the prescription practices of controlled substances. Thus, the DEA is the primary authority in charge of regulating the entire framework surrounding controlled substances from their manufacture to their prescription.