Dr. Vanbang's DEA Drama: Banged Up Prescribing Rights?

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: 2025-19709, Tracy Amerson-Rivers, A.P.R.N.; Decision and Order

Tracy Amerson-Rivers, an advanced practice nurse from Texas, had her DEA registration suspended and then revoked because she prescribed controlled drugs without the required doctor’s approval and was accused of fraud. This means she can no longer legally prescribe these medications, protecting public safety. The revocation is final, even though her registration expired in June 2025, and it sends a clear message about following the rules.

Next: 2025-19716, Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for the State of Alaska

A major disaster was declared for parts of Alaska after severe storms, flooding, and Typhoon Halong hit between October 8-13, 2025. Residents and businesses in affected areas can now apply for low-interest disaster loans to help repair damage or recover lost income. Physical damage loan applications are due by December 22, 2025, and economic injury loan applications by July 22, 2026.