Which entity is responsible for regulating the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances?

The entity responsible for regulating the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA is a federal agency under the Department of Justice that focuses on combating drug trafficking and distribution within the United States. It enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations, which include the scheduling of drugs, conducting investigations, and managing the registration and compliance of healthcare providers who prescribe or dispense controlled substances.

The DEA's role encompasses establishing which substances are classified as controlled and monitoring their use to prevent abuse and illegal distribution. This ensures that prescription medications are used appropriately and that there are mechanisms in place to hold each party involved accountable. In contrast, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily oversees drug approval processes and safety regulations but does not regulate the prescribing and dispensing of medications directly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is focused on public health and disease prevention rather than drug regulation, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is an organization aimed at supporting state pharmacy boards and promoting compliance but does not have regulatory authority over controlled substances like the DEA does.