DEA Form 222
DEA Form 222 is the single-sheet federal order form used for orders and transfers of Schedule I and II controlled substances between authorized DEA registrants, with CSOS providing the compliant electronic alternative.
Exam Tip
DEA Form 222: single sheet, up to 20 line items, orders for Schedule I/II. Purchaser keeps a copy; supplier keeps the original. Partial shipments must be completed within 60 days of execution. Keep records at least 2 years. CSOS is the electronic alternative.
What Is DEA Form 222?
DEA Form 222 documents orders for Schedule I and II controlled substances. For routine pharmacy purchasing, it is usually associated with Schedule II stock. Schedule III-V orders do not require it. The paper form is a single sheet; mandatory use of this format began October 30, 2021.
Completing and Retaining the Form
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Authorized purchaser | Registrant or person with a valid power of attorney signs the order |
| Items | Enter one item per numbered line, with up to 20 line items per form |
| Purchaser copy | Make and retain a copy before forwarding the original to the supplier |
| Supplier | Records quantities supplied and shipment dates; retains the original |
| Receipt | Purchaser records the number of commercial/stock containers received and the receipt dates on its copy |
| Time limit | A supplier may fill the order in partial shipments, but no later than 60 days after the purchaser executes the form |
| Retention | Both sides keep the required records for at least 2 years; state requirements may be longer |
Paper Forms 222 are maintained separately from other records and must be available for inspection. Do not attach an itemized inventory in place of completing the form's line items when more forms are needed. The supplier follows applicable DEA reporting requirements, including the rule for suppliers not reporting through ARCOS.
Paper Form vs. CSOS
| Feature | Single-sheet Form 222 | Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper original plus purchaser's retained copy | Compliant electronic order |
| Signature | Authorized manual signature | Required digital signature/certificate |
| Line items | Up to 20 | Not limited to the paper form's 20 lines |
| Audit trail | Executed form, shipment, and receipt records | Electronic order and linked transaction records |
A fax, scan, or ordinary email is not automatically a compliant CSOS order. Follow the applicable electronic-order rules.
Related DEA Forms
- Form 224: application for pharmacy registration.
- Form 106: theft or significant loss reporting.
- Form 41: controlled-substance destruction documentation when required.
Exam Alert
Remember single sheet, 20 lines, Schedules I and II, 60-day filling limit, and at least 2 years of records. The old colored triplicate form is historical.
Sources: DEA Form 222 Q&A; 21 CFR Part 1305.
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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 registrants required to keep controlled-substance records at least once every two years to account for Schedule II-V drugs on hand.
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