MPJE Federal Controlled Substances Act 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the DEA's scheduling criteria, which factor is NOT considered when placing a substance in Schedule I?
- High potential for abuse
- No currently accepted medical use in the US
- Lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision
- Cost of the substance to the consumer (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cost of the substance to the consumer
Schedule I criteria focus on abuse potential, medical use, and safety—cost is not a scheduling criterion.
Question 2: A pharmacist receives a prescription for hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5/325 mg. Under the CSA, this combination product is classified as:
- Schedule II (Correct answer)
- Schedule III
- Schedule IV
- Schedule V
Correct answer: Schedule II
In 2014, the DEA reclassified all hydrocodone combination products from Schedule III to Schedule II.
Question 3: Which of the following is a requirement for a DEA Form 222 when ordering Schedule II controlled substances?
- It must be submitted electronically only
- It must be signed by a DEA registrant or authorized power of attorney (Correct answer)
- It is valid for 180 days from the date signed
- It may be used to order both Schedule II and Schedule III substances
Correct answer: It must be signed by a DEA registrant or authorized power of attorney
DEA Form 222 must be signed by the DEA registrant or a person with a valid power of attorney on file with the DEA.
Question 4: A retail pharmacy discovers a theft of controlled substances. Under the CSA, the pharmacy must notify the DEA field office within:
- 24 hours of discovery
- 1 business day of discovery
- 1 calendar day of discovery
- Immediately upon discovery by phone, and submit DEA Form 106 within 1 business day (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Immediately upon discovery by phone, and submit DEA Form 106 within 1 business day
Significant theft or loss must be reported to the DEA by phone immediately upon discovery, followed by DEA Form 106 within one business day.
Question 5: Which of the following practitioners is NOT eligible to obtain a DEA registration to dispense Schedule II controlled substances?
- Physician
- Dentist
- Veterinarian
- Medical laboratory technician (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Medical laboratory technician
DEA registration for dispensing controlled substances is granted to practitioners such as physicians, dentists, and veterinarians—not laboratory technicians.
Question 6: The 'closed system' of distribution established by the CSA is designed to:
- Limit the number of pharmacies that can dispense controlled substances
- Track controlled substances from manufacture to dispensing to prevent diversion (Correct answer)
- Prohibit importation of controlled substances from other countries
- Require all prescriptions to be filled within 24 hours
Correct answer: Track controlled substances from manufacture to dispensing to prevent diversion
The CSA's closed system creates a chain of accountability from manufacturer to patient to prevent diversion of controlled substances.
Question 7: Under the CSA, which of the following statements about partial filling of Schedule II prescriptions is CORRECT?
- Partial fills are never permitted for Schedule II prescriptions
- Partial fills are permitted only for LTCF patients and terminally ill patients
- Partial fills are permitted for any patient if the pharmacist cannot supply the full quantity, with the remainder filled within 72 hours
- Partial fills are permitted for any patient, and the remainder may be filled within 30 days (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Partial fills are permitted for any patient, and the remainder may be filled within 30 days
The SUPPORT Act (2018) allows partial fills of Schedule II prescriptions for any patient; the remaining portion may be filled within 30 days of the original date.
MPJE Federal Controlled Substances Act 2
Under the DEA's scheduling criteria, which factor is NOT considered when placing a substance in Schedule I?