DEA Accused of Electronic Stalling
The Drug Enforcement Administration, which investigates crimes involving illicit use of controlled substances, has been criticized for stalling implementation of a national electronic prescribing system for controlled substances. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), speaking at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, faulted the DEA's tardiness in developing regulations for such a system and its reluctance to commit to a deadline for completing the regulations. Currently, doctors write prescriptions for controlled substances but can prescribe noncontrolled substances electronically. DEA official Joseph T. Rannazzisi told the committee that the agency is concerned an electronic system would be susceptible to abuse.