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DPL XXXVII Conference Website 

The American Society for Pharmacy Law (ASPL) is an organization of attorneys, pharmacists, pharmacist-attorneys and students of pharmacy or law who are interested in the law as it applies to pharmacy, pharmacists, wholesalers, manufacturers, state and federal government and other interested parties.

ASPL is a non-profit which encourages diversity & inclusion with the Society, regardless of differing backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, orientations, origins, and practice settings. The Society embraces participation and diversity as it leads to advancing our purpose: 

  • Furthering knowledge in the law related to pharmacists, pharmacies, the provision of pharmaceutical care, the manufacturing and distribution of drugs, and other food, drug, and medical device policy issues;
  • Communicating accurate legal educational information; and
  • Providing educational opportunities for pharmacists, attorneys, and others who are interested in pharmacy law

Latest News

DEA allows pharmacies to deliver controlled substances to practitioners under certain circumstances

The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued new guidance that allows a DEA-registered pharmacy to deliver a prescribed controlled substance to a practitioner for direct administration to the patient. In those circumstances, ultimate users may execute a power of attorney (POA) consistent with state law, designating an administering practitioner as their agent for the limited purpose of accepting delivery of a prescribed controlled substance. The DEA's guidance provides an option for controlled substances that either must (pursuant to FDA requirements) or should (for quality control or other reasons) be delivered directly to a practitioner, rather than the ultimate user, for administration in a health care setting. Additionally, the guidance recommends best practices for pharmacies and practitioners to adopt when a patient has executed a POA. 

This guidance document does not apply to the two classes of controlled substances currently authorized under the Controlled Substances Act, to be delivered by a pharmacy to the administering practitioner. Those two classes of controlled substances are: 

  1. Schedule III–V controlled substances administered by injection or implantation for the purpose of maintenance or detoxification treatment, and 
  2. Schedule III–V medications that are subject to an FDA risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS), if the REMS requires the patient using the drug to be subject to certain monitoring to ensure safe use, including a requirement for post-administration monitoring by a health care provider. 

[Delivery of a Prescribed Controlled Substance by a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-Registered Pharmacy to a Practitioner for Direct Administration to the Patient under Power of Attorney (POA). November 2026. DEA.]