Regulations

• DEA Diversion Control Division
• Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 1300-END
• New DEA registration applications
• DEA registration renewal applications
• Current list of controlled substances in alphabetical order
• Virginia Board of Pharmacy regulations
• Virginia Board of Pharmacy registration application

Training

All individuals involved in the use of controlled substances must complete training prior to handling any controlled substance. 

Individuals will need a VCU eID and password to access the Use of Controlled Substances in Research course in Canvas.

There are two options for self-enrolling in the course:

1. You can follow the prompts after clicking on this course link.

2. In the alternative, you can log in to Canvas -  then, search for and enroll in the course.

• Click on Courses in the left-side navigation menu
• Click on All Courses at the bottom of the menu
• Click the Browse More Courses button
• Enter "controlled substances" into the search field and click the Search button
• When the course appears, click on the Join this Course button

After completing the training course, save or print the page that shows the course was completed successfully.

Authorized users must provide registrants with the page showing their passing score, so that it can be kept with the authorized user’s personnel screening forms.

Closing out registrations

Registrants wishing to terminate their active registration(s) must inform the DEA and the Virginia Board of Pharmacy of their intent to terminate. Contact controlsub@vcu.edu for the form that must be submitted to the DEA and the Virginia Board of Pharmacy when closing out a registration. 

Disposal of controlled substances

controlled substances on a blue background [View Image]The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), through controlsub@vcu.edu, provides contact information for reverse distributors who are licensed by the DEA and who have contracts with VCU. With prior approval from controlsub@vcu.edu, OVPRI will pay invoices associated with the costs of reverse distribution and disposal of unwanted or expired controlled substances.

Procedures:

1. Email controlsub@vcu.edu and provide the following information:
   • Current state and DEA registration numbers and expiration dates
   • List of controlled substances and amounts in need of disposal
   • If requesting assistance with invoice payment, indicate this in your email
2. If invoice payment by OVPRI has been requested, wait for the approval email from controlsub@vcu.edu before contacting the reverse distributor/vendor.
3. Follow reverse distributor's instructions carefully and do not send any controlled substances until you are authorized to do so by the vendor (typically, you will need prior approval from the vendor).
4. Upon receipt of the controlled substances, the reverse distributor will send you a report listing the substances they have accepted into their inventory and their DEA registration number. You should keep a copy of this report for your records.
5. Upon receipt of the vendor’s invoice forward this invoice to controlsub@vcu.edu.

Information about Return Logistics International Service Center (RLI), a VCU contract vendor.

Website: www.returnlogistics.com
Address: 22 Artley Road
Savannah, GA 31408
Voice: (912) 748-5100
Fax: (912) 748-5102

RLI’s DEA Reverse Distributor Certificate of Registration No. RE0215675

Advance ship notice

Customers are required to fax, email or mail a completed ASN package to the return center. The ASN is provided by RLI after the customer contacts RLI with a request to ship. After RLI receives the completed package, RLI will issue the customer a return order number.

Note: Never ship any controlled substances to Return Logistics International (RLI) until you have been given a return order number. Make sure this number is on the shipping label.

If approved by controlsub@vcu.edu you may use the following billing information:

Company name: Virginia Commonwealth University
Contact name: Cathleen Finnerty
Contact title: Business manager
Contact phone: 804-828-3536, email: cafinner@vcu.edu
Address: 800 East Leigh Street, Suite 300, Box 980568
City: Richmond, State: VA, Zip: 23298-0568

Resources

• Use of controlled substances in research manual
• Procedure for obtaining buprenorphine SR and SR lab
• Isoflurane information sheet
• Forms

To request a copy of a sample completed application or form, please email controlsub@vcu.edu.