Drug Enforcement Administration
Office of Diversion Control
Pharmacist’s Manual
An Informational Outline of the
Controlled Substances Act
Revised 2010¹
¹ This manual replaces all previous editions of the Pharmacist’s Manual issued by the Drug Enforcement
Administration, both hard copy and electronic.
Drug Enforcement Administration
Pharmacist’s Manual
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Michele Leonhart
Administrator
Drug Enforcement Administration
Joseph T. Rannazzisi
Deputy Assistant Administrator/
Deputy Chief of Operations
Office of Diversion Control
Mark W. Caverly
Chief, Liaison and Policy Section
This manual has been prepared by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion
Control, as a guide to assist pharmacists in their understanding of the Federal Controlled
Substances Act and its implementing regulations as they pertain to the pharmacy profession.
The 2010 edition replaces all previous editions of the Pharmacist’s Manual issued by the Drug
Enforcement Administration, both hard copy and electronic.
2010 Edition ii Drug Enforcement Administration
Pharmacist’s Manual
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents
Section I - Introduction
Disclaimer ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Authorization for Public Dissemination.............................................................................................. 1
Message from the Administrator ....................................................................................................... 2
Preface