Classification of Controlled Substances: A Moving Target (COCS)

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) oversees the regulation of drugs subject to abuse and pharmacists are aware of their 5 schedules. However, the classification of a drug is not fixed and may be updated over time. This activity will examine DEA scheduling criteria and highlight examples of substances being considered for changes, demonstrating different regulatory rationales.  Four drugs with distinctive regulatory and public policy characteristics, marijuana, psychedelic drugs, kratom, and tianeptine, will be compared and the possible impact of these changes on pharmacy practice will be discussed.