[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 2883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-906]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Drug Enforcement Administration
[Docket No. DEA-261N]
Solicitation of Comments on Dispensing of Controlled Substances
for the Treatment of Pain
AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Justice.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.
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SUMMARY: On November 16, 2004, DEA published in the Federal Register an
Interim Policy Statement on the dispensing of controlled substances for
the treatment of pain. The Interim Policy Statement stated that DEA
would address the subject in greater detail in a future Federal
Register document, taking into consideration the views of the medical
community. DEA is hereby seeking comments from physicians and other
interested members of the public as to what areas of the law relating
to the dispensing of controlled substances for the treatment of pain
they would like DEA to address in the upcoming Federal Register
document.
DATES: Written comments must be postmarked, and electronic comments
must be sent, on or before March 21, 2005.
ADDRESSES: To ensure proper handling of comments, please reference
``Docket No. DEA-261'' on all written and electronic correspondence.
Written comments being sent via regular mail should be sent to the
Deputy Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington, DC
20537, Attention: DEA Federal Register Representative/CCD. Written
comments sent via express mail should be sent to DEA Headquarters,
Attention: DEA Federal Register Representative/CCD, 2401 Jefferson-
Davis Highway, Alexandria, VA 22301.
Comments may be directly sent to DEA electronically by sending an
electronic message to [email protected]. Comments may also
be sent electronically through http://www.regulations.gov using the
electronic comment form provided on that site. An electronic copy of
this document is also available at the http://www.regulations.gov Web
site. DEA will accept attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft
Word, WordPerfect, Adobe PDF, or Excel file formats only. DEA will not
accept any file format other than those specifically listed here.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Dormont, Senior Attorney, Drug
Enforcement Administration, Washington, DC 20537; telephone: (202) 307-
8010.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On November 16, 2004, DEA published in the Federal Register an
Interim Policy Statement on the dispensing of controlled substances for
the treatment of pain. 69 FR 67170. The Interim Policy Statement
explained why an earlier document, which appeared on the DEA Office of
Diversion Control Web site in August 2004, contained misstatements and
was not approved as an official statement of the agency. The Interim
Policy Statement corrected some of the misstatements in the August 2004
document and announced that DEA would address, in greater detail, the
subject of dispensing controlled substances for the treatment of pain
in a future Federal Register document, taking into consideration the
views of the medical community. This upcoming document will stay within
the scope of DEA's authority by addressing the law the agency
administers, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), and the DEA
regulations promulgated thereunder, as well as the pertinent court
decisions. As indicated in the Interim Policy Statement, the document
will contain a recitation of the relevant provisions of the CSA and DEA
regulations relating to the dispensing of controlled substances for the
treatment of pain. The purpose of this recitation will be to provide
guidance and reassurance to the overwhelming majority of physicians who
engage in legitimate pain treatment while deterring unlawful
prescribing and dispensing of pharmaceutical controlled substances.
As was the case with the Interim Policy Statement, none of the
principles addressed in the upcoming Federal Register document will be
new. Rather, the document will reiterate legal concepts that have been
incorporated in the federal laws and regulations for many years and are
reflected in federal court decisions and DEA final administrative
orders. DEA recognizes the desire of many physicians and members of the
public to have these concepts reiterated in a single, comprehensive
document. Toward that end, DEA is hereby seeking the input of
physicians, pharmacists, and other interested members of the public.
Any person who so desires should indicate, in writing, the areas of the
law relating to controlled substances that they would like DEA to
address in the upcoming document. DEA will consider all such comments
submitted on or before March 21, 2005.
Dated: January 11, 2005.
Michele M. Leonhart,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-906 Filed 1-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-P