Inappropriate requests for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration numbers

Comment on this policy

The AVMA strongly opposes the use of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number for any purpose other than to provide certification of DEA registration in transactions involving controlled substances. There is no legal requirement for this number to be provided if the prescription is for a noncontrolled drug. The use of the DEA registration number for identification purposes is not approved of by the DEA. Veterinarians do not possess National Provider Identification (NPI) numbers. Therefore, AVMA supports the use of a state license number for identification purposes.