DEA Drug Diversion Investigations & Enforcement 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is drug diversion?
- Prescribing antibiotics
- Providing over-the-counter medication
- Illegal use or distribution of prescription drugs (Correct answer)
- Selling vitamins
Correct answer: Illegal use or distribution of prescription drugs
Drug diversion is the illegal distribution or use of prescription drugs for purposes not intended by the prescriber.
Question 2: Which DEA form is used to report theft or loss of controlled substances?
- Form 41
- Form 222
- Form 106 (Correct answer)
- Form 110
Correct answer: Form 106
DEA Form 106 is used to formally report any significant theft or loss of controlled substances.
Question 3: What is the role of the DEA in diversion investigations?
- They write prescriptions
- They sell drugs to hospitals
- They investigate and enforce against diversion (Correct answer)
- They regulate vitamins
Correct answer: They investigate and enforce against diversion
The DEA investigates, enforces, and prevents the diversion of controlled substances from legal to illegal channels.
Question 4: What might trigger a drug diversion investigation?
- Low prescription rates
- Frequent inspections
- Unusual prescribing or missing drugs (Correct answer)
- Updated software
Correct answer: Unusual prescribing or missing drugs
Unusual prescribing patterns, large volume orders, or missing inventory can trigger diversion investigations.
Question 5: Who can be subject to a DEA drug diversion investigation?
- Only patients
- Only pharmaceutical companies
- Any DEA registrant (Correct answer)
- Medical billing firms
Correct answer: Any DEA registrant
Any registrant such as doctors, pharmacists, or hospitals can be investigated if there is suspicion of diversion.
Question 6: Which is a common outcome of a confirmed diversion case?
- Award of bonus
- Promotion
- Loss of DEA registration or legal penalties (Correct answer)
- Increase in prescriptions
Correct answer: Loss of DEA registration or legal penalties
Consequences may include fines, loss of DEA registration, or criminal charges.
Question 7: Which data source helps detect diversion activities?
- Social media
- PDMP databases (Correct answer)
- Patient surveys
- Store receipts
Correct answer: PDMP databases
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) track prescribing and dispensing to help detect and prevent diversion.
Question 8: Why is documentation important in diversion investigations?
- For marketing
- To increase profits
- To support investigations and legal actions (Correct answer)
- To reduce taxes
Correct answer: To support investigations and legal actions
Proper documentation provides legal support, tracks compliance, and serves as evidence in diversion investigations.
Question 9: What is a red flag for drug diversion?
- Refills every 30 days
- Use of generic medications
- Early refills and multiple doctors (Correct answer)
- One pharmacy
Correct answer: Early refills and multiple doctors
Red flags include early refill requests, multiple providers, or high-dose prescriptions without justification.
DEA Drug Diversion Investigations & Enforcement 1
What is drug diversion?