Schedule II Prescriptive Authority Update
September 28, 2006

As of July 1, 2006, expanded prescriptive authority for schedule II drugs became law in Virginia. In order to begin prescribing Schedule II drugs Nurse Practitioners must:

Submit to the Board of Nursing:

• Updated "Prescriptive Authority for Nurse Practitioners Practice Agreement" form signed by your supervising physician to the Board of Nursing. The form has been updated to include Schedule II and is available on the Board of Nursing website at: http://www.dhp.state.va.us/forms/nursing/NURSE%20PRAC/PracAgree0606.doc

Submit to the DEA:

1. A "Schedule Change" form updating your prescriptive authority to Schedule II. This form is available on the DEA website at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/change_requests/schedchange.pdf
2. A copy of the letter you will receive from the Board of Nursing confirming the change in your Practice Agreement along with the DEA schedule change form to the DEA.

Either fax or mail the form (do not do both) to:

Shirley McSwain, DEA Registration
Drug Enforcement Administration
800 K Street NW
Washington DC 20001
FAX: (202) 305-8355

Finally, please make sure you are familiar with rules that apply to prescribing schedule II drugs before you take on the responsibility. For example, your prescription cannot include refills and cannot be called in to a pharmacy. A complete list of rules is available at http://www.dea.gov/pubs/csa/829.htm#a. A list of controlled substances is available at http://www.dea.gov/pubs/csa/812.htm#c . Also, you may want to review with your supervising physician how you will handle situations such as suspected drug seeking behavior or dependence. You should also be aware that the State is implementing a prescription drug monitoring program. We are very excited about this change and hope that it will enhance your ability to provide quality patient care.