Pharmacy Law Practice Exam

Which entity issues a controlled substance registration to pharmacies?

1. The federal government

2. The state Board of Pharmacy

3. The Department of Health

4. The Drug Enforcement Administration

The correct answer is: The state Board of Pharmacy

Pharmacies that wish to dispense controlled substances must obtain a controlled substance registration, which is typically issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at the federal level. While state laws and regulations can also come into play, particularly regarding additional state-level licenses or registrations that might be required, the primary responsibility for overseeing the controlled substance registration at the federal level lies with the DEA. The DEA is specifically tasked with enforcing the Controlled Substances Act, enforcing regulations surrounding the manufacturing, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances, and issuing registrations to pharmacies, practitioners, and other entities that handle these substances. In some states, the state Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy practice and can place additional requirements on pharmacies, but the core federal authorization to handle controlled substances comes from the DEA. The Department of Health generally focuses on health policy and public health initiatives, rather than direct regulation of controlled substance registrations for pharmacies.