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RuleSignificant2026-022882026-02-05

Registering Emergency Medical Services Agencies Under the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017

Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration

Abstract

The "Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017," (the Act) which became law on November 17, 2017, amended the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to allow for a new registration category for emergency medical services agencies that handle controlled substances. It also established standards for registering emergency medical services agencies, and set forth new requirements for delivery, storage, and recordkeeping related to their handling of controlled substances. In addition, the Act allows emergency medical services professionals to administer controlled substances outside the physical presence of a medical director or authorizing medical professional pursuant to a valid standing or verbal order. The Drug Enforcement Administration is publishing this final rule to conform its regulations to the statutory amendments of the CSA and to otherwise implement its requirements. This final rule adopts, with minor modifications, the notice of proposed rulemaking published on October 5, 2020.

Action & Dates

Action
Final rule.
Dates
This rule is effective March 9, 2026.
Effective Date
2026-03-09

CFR References

Topics

Administrative practice and procedureChemicalsDrug traffic controlExportsImportsPrescription drugsReporting and recordkeeping requirementsSecurity measures

Corrections

This document has been corrected by:

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration 21 CFR Parts 1300, 1301, 1304, 1306, and 1307 [Docket No. DEA-377] RIN 1117-AB37 AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The “Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017,” (the Act) which became law on November 17, 2017, amended the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to allow for a new registration category for emergency medical services agencies that handle controlled substances. It also established standards for registering emergency medical services agencies, and set forth new requirements for delivery, storage, and recordkeeping related to their handling of controlled substances. In addition, the Act allows emergency medical services professionals to administer controlled substances outside the physical presence of a medical director or authorizing medical professional pursuant to a valid standing or verbal order. The Drug Enforcement Administration is publishing this final rule to conform its regulations to the statutory amendments of the CSA and to otherwise implement its requirements. This final rule adopts, with minor modifications, the notice of proposed rulemaking published on October 5, 2020. DATES: This rule is effective March 9, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather E. Achbach, Regulatory Drafting and Policy Support Section (DPW), Diversion Control Division, Drug Enforcement Administration; Mailing Address: 8701 Morrisset

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Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 91 FR 5216