On December 19th, 2007 the Drug Enforcement Administration changed the regulations on Schedule II controlled substances to allow up to a 90 day supply. Prior to this new regulation physicians could only prescribe up to a 30 day supply. Schedule II controlled substances include medications such as stimulants for ADHD, pain medications, and other potentially addictive drugs.

The regulatory change still does not allow for refills on such prescriptions. Instead, a physician may write 3 separate prescriptions totaling 90 days worth of medication during a single patient visit. This gives the physician more flexibility in treating patients with chronic medical conditions previously requiring monthly re-writes on these prescriptions.

Ask your doctor if this change will affect you. The shift in government regulations may not apply in your state since each state can still impose limits on the amount of a controlled substance that physicians prescribe. In order for your doctor to dispense a 90 day supply, your state laws must permit the issuance of multiple prescriptions.

For more information, the DEA regulation is posted at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2007/fr1119.htm