Animal Health Solutions

26 Covetrus | ph: 855.724.3461 | fx: 888.329.3861 | northamerica.covetrus.com As a veterinarian or practice manager, your day-to-day focus is to provide your patients with the best possible medical care and ensure that the practice runs both efficiently and effectively. You are expected to wear many hats and adhere to a plethora of state and federal regulations—this can be a challenge for any practice. Unfortunately, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) compliance seems to be one area where many practices fail to implement a cohesive and comprehensive program. One of the most commonly reported reasons veterinary professionals fail to implement a DEA compliance program is cost. We often hear "it's too expensive" or "I can't afford it right now". DEA compliance, just like the veterinary care you provide to your patients, is most effective when applied proactively. While DEA compliance is not "cheap", it is an investment that pays countless dividends—failing to prioritize it can put you and your practice at risk. The cost of DEA noncompliance in veterinary practices Your exposure may be greater than you think Yes, it can happen to you. Gone are the days when the DEA focused primarily on large hospitals and pharmacies. America's opioid epidemic has resulted in the DEA looking more closely at how healthcare professionals (including veterinarians) manage controlled substances. The DEA is using advanced data analytics to track every purchase of controlled substances, specifically opioids sold to DEA registrants. For example, a database maintained by the DEA tracks the path of every single pain pill sold in the United States — by manufacturers and distributors to pharmacies, in every town and city — has, for the first time, been made public. "The Washington Post sifted through nearly 500 million transactions from 2006 through 2014 that are detailed in the DEA's database and analyzed shipments of oxycodone and hydrocodone pills, which account for three-quarters of the total opioid pill shipments to pharmacies. The Post is making this data available at the county and state levels in order to help the public understand the impact of years of prescription pill shipments on their communities." 1 If you ordered during this time frame, your name is on the list. Takeaway: While DEA compliance may seem costly, you cannot afford not to prioritize it.

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