EPCS-DEA Third Party Audits - How Often?
Published: Aug 7, 2024
Last Updated: Sep 21, 2026
Is there a period of time that the DEA-EPCS Third Party audit is valid?
On March 31, 2010 the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) rule, "Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances" has revised its regulations to give physicians the choice of writing prescriptions for controlled substances the traditional method or through the electronic system. Originally, the regulation restricted physicians and practitioners from writing electronic prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS).
The EPCS allows pharmacies, practitioners, and hospitals the ability to employ the benefits of information technology to the field of health care while maintaining the necessary controls for the dispensary of controlled substance prescriptions. In addition, this legislation will reduce the amount of necessary paperwork and the occurrences of prescription forgery. This rule came into effect on June 1, 2010.
The regulation only requires an audit every two years if there are no changes to the functionality of the application. In other words, your report would be valid for 2 years.
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