DEA Form 222
DEA Form 222 is a triplicate federal order form required for the purchase, transfer, or distribution of Schedule II controlled substances between DEA-registered entities, serving as a key tool in preventing diversion.
Exam Tip
Form 222 = Schedule II ONLY. Three copies: brown (DEA), green (supplier), blue (purchaser). Max 10 line items. CSOS is the electronic alternative. Records kept 2 years.
What Is DEA Form 222?
DEA Form 222 is a triplicate (three-copy) official order form required by the Drug Enforcement Administration for ordering, transferring, or distributing Schedule II controlled substances. It provides an auditable paper trail to prevent drug diversion and is one of the most important controlled substance documents in pharmacy practice.
DEA Form 222 Structure
| Copy | Color | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Copy 1 | Brown | Forwarded to DEA by supplier |
| Copy 2 | Green | Retained by supplier |
| Copy 3 | Blue | Retained by purchaser |
Who Uses DEA Form 222
| Entity | Use |
|---|---|
| Pharmacies | Ordering Schedule II drugs from wholesalers |
| Hospitals | Ordering Schedule II drugs |
| Manufacturers | Transferring Schedule II drugs |
| Distributors | Selling Schedule II drugs |
Key Rules
- Only applies to Schedule II controlled substances (Schedules III-V can be ordered without Form 222)
- Must be signed by the DEA registrant or authorized power of attorney
- Each line item must be filled in with drug name, dosage form, and quantity
- Maximum of 10 line items per form
- Forms are pre-printed with the registrant's information by the DEA
- Partially filled orders must be noted; unfilled items are canceled after 60 days
- CSOS (Controlled Substance Ordering System) is the electronic alternative to Form 222
CSOS vs. Form 222
| Feature | DEA Form 222 | CSOS |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper triplicate | Electronic |
| Line items | 10 maximum | Unlimited |
| Security | Pre-printed, signed | Digital certificate |
| Processing | Manual | Automated |
| Trend | Legacy system | Increasingly adopted |
Record Retention
- All copies must be kept for a minimum of 2 years
- Records must be readily retrievable for DEA inspection
Exam Alert
DEA Form 222 falls under the Federal Requirements domain on the PTCE. Know that it is required ONLY for Schedule II substances, it has 3 copies (brown to DEA, green to supplier, blue to purchaser), and CSOS is the electronic alternative. Also know DEA Forms 41 (destruction) and 106 (theft/loss).
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Related Terms
Controlled Substance Schedules
Controlled substance schedules are the DEA's five-tier classification system (Schedule I through Schedule V) that categorizes drugs based on their accepted medical use, abuse potential, and likelihood of causing dependence.
DEA Number
A DEA number is a unique identifier assigned by the Drug Enforcement Administration to healthcare providers and pharmacies authorized to handle controlled substances, used to track prescribing and dispensing activity.
Biennial Inventory
A biennial inventory is the DEA-required physical count of all controlled substances that must be conducted by every registrant (pharmacy, hospital, practitioner) at least once every two years to account for Schedule II-V drugs on hand.
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