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Controlled Substance Use in Research

When using controlled substances in research and teaching activities, all West Virginia University employees must comply with federal and state regulations, as well as institutional guidelines.

Registrations

Federal regulations govern the use of controlled substances in research and teaching activities. The following documents provide guidance on obtaining necessary registrations. Changes in unit registrants, lab additions, or closures in the unit must be reported to EHS Safety.


Inventory, Records, and Forms

Secure Storage Requirements

Controlled substances must be stored with the following requirements to ensure compliance with Title 21, CFR 1301.72 

  • Schedule I-II: Securely locked, substantially constructed safe or steel cabinet that is anchored to a wall or the floor.
  • Schedule III-V: Securely locked, substantially constructed safe or steel cabinet.
           Note: Schedule I-V substance can be stored together as long as security measures meet Schedule I-II requirements.
  • Controlled substances requiring refrigeration must be locked in a container securely fastened within a refrigeration unit unless the refrigeration unit can be locked from the outside.
  • Portable storage boxes or storage in high-activity areas (e.g., corridors) are not allowed.
  • Do Not leave controlled substances unattended.
  • Ensuring two levels of security (e.g., locks) are in place and always used.
  • Resetting locks, keys, or combinations when:
    • Authorized personnel leave the lab, department, or University (e.g., graduate, terminate employment, etc.)
    • Loss/theft is suspected or reported.
    • Maintaining controlled substances in their original packaging.

Report Theft/Significant Loss

Immediately upon discovery of a controlled substance theft or significant loss, notify the:

  • Crys Povenski - Chemical Hygiene, Controlled Substances, & Laboratory Safety Manager- 304-293-6925
  • HSC Safety Office - 304-293-0952
  • University Police Department - 304-293-3036
  • DEA Charleston Office (registrant must fax a report, then complete DEA Form-106 online)

    DEA-Charleston
    Union Square
    Two Monongalia Street #300
    Charleston, West Virginia 25302
    304-347-5209
    Fax: 304-347-5212

Disposal

Instructions for Controlled Substances Removal:

Requirements for DEA Controlled Substances Used in Research

  • Keep records (DEA-222 order forms, drug receipt invoices) for a minimum of two years after purchase of each controlled substance (each from its own date or receipt).
  • A "Researcher" category DEA license will only be issued if there is an IACUC or IRB APPROVED protocol that refers to that substance and the license will only be approved for the controlled substances listed in the protocol. The application process cannot proceed if there is no corresponding approved protocol.
  • Practitioner/clinical licenses for physicians, dentists, veterinarians and other health care professionals cannot be used for animal or human research protocols. Instead, DEA research licenses are required.
  • The DEA application will not be approved without a  West Virginia Board of Pharmacy license. The DEA registration is predicated on state authority.
  • License holder must notify DEA (via email) of any personnel ADDITIONS if they have access to the controlled substances. You do not need to notify DEA if someone is removed from a protocol.
  • Every DEA registrant is required to take an  Initial Inventory upon receipt of their first order of controlled substances.
  • Every two years from the date of their initial inventory, the DEA registrant is required to take a  Biennial Inventory of all controlled substances in their possession. This is a complete physical inventory. (There is no requirement to send this inventory to DEA.)
  • During inspection the DEA may inspect for:
    1. To see all controlled substances to determine if any have expired
    2. To see if the decreasing balance log ID and the bottle ID match
    3. To see if the log is properly completed, and the amount present roughly matches the last balance entry
    4. To see if the rest of the items on the log sheets are filled out correctly
    5. To see if DEA-222 order forms for Schedule I or II are present for each compound
    6. To verify that all drug invoices present have a large red "C" on them (see * below) and a date of receipt with initials of the person receiving the shipment
    7. To verify that DEA-222 order forms have the number of packages received and the date received columns completed at the time of receipt. ( An incomplete DEA-222 form as described above can incur a $10,000 fine from the DEA if not completed! See ** below).

Orphaned Substance