California DEA Registrants: Mandatory CURES Check Starts July 1, 2017

In an effort to identify and deter prescription drug abuse and diversion, in September 2016, California Governor Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 482 into law. SB 482, which takes effect on July 1, 2017, requires all healthcare providers who are registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to check the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) prior to the first-time prescribing of Schedule II-IV medications and at least once every four months thereafter when the medication remains part of the patient’s treatment. This will enable prescribers to make informed decisions about their patient’s care and limit the number of people who doctor shop and over use prescription drugs.

Dentists with DEA registrations who fail to consult the CURES database prior to issuing a prescription for a Schedule II-IV controlled substance to a first-time patient could face an administrative sanction by the Dental Board of California (DBC).

Back in July 2016, all dentists with DEA registrations had to register for CURES, even those who do not actively prescribe or dispense controlled substances.

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