Controlled Substances

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the United States Department of Justice, which is responsible for enforcing the Controlled Substances Act, has developed a number of regulations stipulating how controlled substances must be procured, secured, and safeguarded against diversion. These regulations are codified in the Practitioner’s Manual (log-in required) and other guidance documents (log-in required).

Violation of laws and regulations regarding the procurement, safeguard, and use of controlled substances can result in severe penalties, including criminal prosecution, monetary fines, and imprisonment.

To aid University of Pittsburgh investigators in complying with the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations, University guidelines have been developed, as well as a number of internal implementation procedures.