Final answer:
Physicians must register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to administer controlled substances. This is to ensure that prescription medications are used responsibly and to prevent abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physicians who administer controlled substances are required to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA is responsible for regulating the use of controlled substances and enforcing laws to prevent illegal drug trafficking. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also plays a role in regulation by ensuring that pharmacies only sell drugs that meet safety and efficacy standards.
Physicians need to obtain a DEA number to prescribe medicines classified as controlled substances, which include various narcotics, stimulants, and sedatives that have the potential for abuse.
This registration is critical for maintaining the integrity of drug distribution and ensuring that prescription medications are dispensed only for legitimate medical purposes. It is part of a larger regulatory ecosystem that includes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the medicines that pharmacies can sell.
The FDA ensures that medications meet safety and efficacy standards before they can be marketed, protecting the public from unsafe drugs.