Florida Doc's DEA Dreams Dashed: No More Controlled Prescriptions Allowed
Published Date: 9/23/2025
Notice
Summary
Dr. Immacula Michel from Florida tried to get a DEA registration but didn’t follow the rules by prescribing controlled drugs without proper registration. Because she didn’t respond or ask for a hearing in time, her application was denied. This means she can’t legally prescribe controlled substances, and the decision is final as of September 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
DEA Registration Denied for Dr. Michel
The DEA denied Immacula Michel, M.D.'s application for a Certificate of Registration (Control No. W23121768C). The denial also applies to any other pending registration application of Dr. Michel in Florida, and the Order is effective October 23, 2025. Without a DEA registration, she cannot lawfully dispense or prescribe controlled substances under federal law.
Default Finding: Three Unauthorized Prescriptions
The Agency found that, between November 2024 and February 2025, Dr. Michel issued three prescriptions for phentermine (a Schedule IV controlled substance) under a surrendered DEA registration, and because she did not timely request a hearing she is deemed in default and to have admitted those allegations. The record shows her prior DEA registration was surrendered on August 4, 2022.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11526, Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 2018: Dispensing and Administering Controlled Substances for Medication-Assisted Treatment
Starting July 9, 2026, new rules make it easier for doctors and pharmacies to provide medicine that helps people recover from opioid addiction. These changes affect healthcare providers by expanding who can give medication-assisted treatment and how pharmacies can deliver these medicines. The goal? Faster, safer access to treatment with clear rules that save time and support recovery.
2026-10128, Revision of Applications for Manufacturing and Procurement Quotas
The DEA wants to update how companies apply for permission to make and buy certain controlled drugs and chemicals. These changes will make the rules clearer, help prevent drug shortages, and ensure enough supply for medical and scientific needs. If you’re a manufacturer or involved in this process, get ready to follow new steps and share your thoughts by July 20, 2026.
2026-16665, Exempt Chemical Preparations Under the Controlled Substances Act
The applications for exempt chemical preparations received by the Drug Enforcement Administration between March 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026, as listed below, were accepted for filing and have been approved or denied as indicated. This publication addresses preparations through June 30, 2026, that were not included in previous Federal Register notices, and it does not affect preparations that have been previously published.
2026-16413, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of O-Desmethyltramadol in Schedule I
The Drug Enforcement Administration issues this temporary order to schedule O-desmethyltramadol (other names: O-DSMT; desmetramadol; 3-[(1R,2R)-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-1- hydroxycyclohexyl]phenol), including its isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters and ethers, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. DEA bases this action on a finding that placing O-DSMT in schedule I is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety. This order imposes the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle O-DSMT.
2026-16375, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Suvorexant, Lemborexant, and Daridorexant From Schedule IV Into Schedule V
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes to transfer suvorexant ([(7R)-4-(5-chloro-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-7-methyl-1,4- diazepan-1-yl]-[5-methyl-2-(triazol-2-yl)phenyl]methanone), lemborexant ((1R,2S)-2-[(2,4-dimethylpyrimidin-5-yl)oxymethyl]-2-(3-fluorophenyl)- N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)cyclopropane-1-carboxamide), and daridorexant ([(2S)-2-(5-chloro-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-methylpyrrolidin-1- yl]-[5-methoxy-2-(triazol-2-yl)phenyl]methanone) from schedule IV to schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act. If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule V controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle suvorexant, lemborexant, and daridorexant.
2026-15624, Amendment to 3,4-MDP-2-P Methyl Glycidic Acid, a List I Chemical
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to modify the listing of the list I chemical 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid (also known as PMK glycidic acid) to include esters of 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid, not listed elsewhere in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), as list I chemicals under the CSA. The current listing of 3,4- MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid includes its salts, optical and geometric isomers, and salts of isomers. DEA proposes the new listing to read as follows: 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid (PMK glycidic acid) and its esters, not listed elsewhere in the CSA, its optical and geometric isomers, its salts, salts of its optical and geometric isomers, salts of its esters, not listed elsewhere in the CSA, and any combination thereof, whenever the existence of such is possible.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-18360, Presence Sensing Device Initiation (PSDI) Standard; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
OSHA is asking for public feedback as it seeks to keep the approval for collecting info under the Presence Sensing Device Initiation (PSDI) Standard. This mainly affects businesses using safety sensors on machines to protect workers. No big changes or extra costs are expected, but the approval needs to be renewed to keep things running smoothly.
Next: 2025-18362, Rachel Kientcha-Tita, M.D.; Decision and Order
Dr. Rachel Kientcha-Tita from Houston lost her DEA registration because she’s barred from Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs. The DEA officially revoked her license and denied her renewal after a thorough review and hearing. This means she can’t legally prescribe controlled substances through federal programs anymore, effective immediately.