News & Events

November 10, 2026  Adjustment to the 2026 Aggregate Production Quota for d,l-Amphetamine, d-Amphetamine (for Sale), Hydromorphone and Methylphenidate (for Sale) Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 826(h)

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is adjusting the 2026 aggregate production quota for the schedule II controlled substances d,l-amphetamine, d-amphetamine (for sale), hydromorphone, and methylphenidate (for sale). In making this determination, DEA has considered the factors set forth in 21 CFR 1303.13(b) (opens in a new tab) in accordance with 21 U.S.C. 826(a) (opens in a new tab) and is expediting publication of this determination to comply with the timeframes specified in 21 U.S.C. 826(h)(1) (opens in a new tab). This final order is effective November 10, 2026.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/10/2026-22842/adjustment-to-the-2026-aggregate-production-quota-for-dl-amphetamine-d-amphetamine-for-sale (opens in a new tab)

November 10, 2026 Proposed Aggregate Production Quotas for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances and Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for 2027

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposes to establish the 2027 aggregate production quotas for controlled substances in schedules I and II of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the assessment of annual needs for the list I chemicals ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. Interested persons may file written comments on this notice in accordance with 21 CFR 1303.11(c) (opens in a new tab) and 1315.11(d) (opens in a new tab). Electronic comments must be submitted, and written comments must be postmarked, on or before December 10, 2026. Commenters should be aware that the electronic Federal Docket Management System will not accept comments after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period. Based on comments received in response to this notice, the Administrator may hold a public hearing on one or more issues raised.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/10/2026-22843/proposed-aggregate-production-quotas-for-schedule-i-and-ii-controlled-substances-and-assessment-of (opens in a new tab)

There are three recent announcements from the Drug Enforcement Administration regarding the scheduling of controlled substances:

SCHEDULES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: PLACEMENT OF CENTANAFADINE IN SCHEDULE III

October 30, 2026.  On July 24, 2026, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug application for Simtriyo (centanafadine) for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults and pediatric patients aged 6 years and older, weighing at least 20 kg. The Department of Health and Human Services provided the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with a scheduling recommendation to place centanafadine, chemically known as (1R,5S)-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, in schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In accordance with the CSA, as amended by the Improving Regulatory Transparency for New Medical Therapies Act, DEA is hereby issuing an interim final rule placing centanafadine, including its salts, isomers (whether optical, positional, or geometric), and salts of such isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible in schedule III of the CSA.The Federal Register link can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/30/2026-22208/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-centanafadine-in-schedule-iii (opens in a new tab). 

October 14, 2026.  The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issuing this notice of intent to publish a temporary order to schedule 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers, whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible) when either substance alone, or their combined amount if both are present, is above a specified threshold, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Based on a different threshold provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in July of 2025, DEA published a notice of intent to temporarily schedule 7-hydroxymitragynine above that lower threshold on July 7, 2026. Additionally, DEA published a temporary order placing mitragynine pseudoindoxyl without a threshold in schedule I of the CSA on August 26, 2026. On October 8, 2026, HHS sent a letter recommending that DEA place of the CSA 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in schedule I when either substance alone, or their combined amount if both are present, is above a new specified threshold. Based on the October 8, 2026 letter, DEA is issuing this notice of intent. While the new threshold recommended by HHS would permit certain products to remain in the marketplace without being subject to schedule I controls, neither HHS nor DEA has made a finding that these substances are safe to use at below-threshold levels. When a temporary order is issued, it will impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle 7-hydroxymitragynine and/or mitragynine pseudoindoxyl above the specified threshold. In a separate document contained in this issue of the Federal Register , DEA is withdrawing the July 7, 2026 notice of intent related to 7-hydroxymitragynine. The August 26, 2026 temporary order placing mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in schedule I of the CSA without a threshold remains in effect until either it expires or the new temporary order is published and the previous order is withdrawn, whichever occurs first.  The Federal Register link can be found here:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20943/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-7--hydroxymitragynine-and-mitragynine (opens in a new tab)

SCHEDULES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: TEMPORARY PLACEMENT OF MGM-15 AND MGM-16 IN SCHEDULE I

October 14, 2026.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issuing this notice of intent to publish a temporary order to schedule two 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances (MGM-15 and MGM-16), including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers, whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). On August 26, 2026, DEA published a temporary order placing mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in schedule I of the CSA. Today, DEA is providing notice of its intent to publish a new temporary order for MGM-15 and MGM-16 that will maintain the temporary placement of these substances in schedule I of the CSA without change. Separately in this Federal Register , DEA is publishing a notice of intent relating to mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, in response to a letter sent by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) dated October 6, 2026. HHS's letter related only to mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. Therefore, DEA is publishing this notice of intent only for the technical and procedural purpose of distinguishing MGM-15 and MGM-16 from mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. When issued, the temporary scheduling order addressing MGM-15 and MGM-16 will continue to impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle these two 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances. The August 26, 2026 temporary order placing these substances in schedule I of the CSA remains in effect until either it expires or the new temporary order is published and the previous order is withdrawn, whichever occurs first.  The Federal Register link can be found here:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20942/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-mgm-15-and-mgm-16-in-schedule-i (opens in a new tab)

The Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association (LAPPA) is excited to announce publication of the Model Addressing Inhalant Use Act (opens in a new tab). The purpose of this legislation is to: (1) prohibit the sale of certain products containing inhalants to minors; (2) establish additional requirements for the sale of inhalants, including restrictions on advertising and the retail sale of nitrous oxide as well as packaging requirements; (3) establish criminal penalties related to inhalants; and (4) establish education, prevention, and treatment requirements. Regulating inhalants is complicated because many inhalants are common household substances, but doing so is growing increasingly critical as this availability and appearance of “safety” results in adolescents being the largest demographic that uses inhalants. This Model Act seeks to: (1) to implement measures to educate the public, particularly adolescents, on the dangers of inhalant use; and (2) prevent initiation into inhalant use by placing restrictions on purchasing certain products.

August 3, 2026 - The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Assistance Center (PDMP TTAC) at the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) is updating the website (www.pdmpassist.org (opens in a new tab)) and releasing new modules over the next few months.  The first in the series of website enhancements was released on August 3, 2026.  The News & Events section will provide information relevant to PDMP staff and administrators, as well as related stakeholders, including proposed and final rules and regulations and updates from federal agencies, as well as upcoming meetings, conferences, and events that are of interest to PDMP stakeholders. New information will be posted as it is made available.  If there is new information you know of that you would like to see posted, please contact PDMP TTAC at pdmpassist@iir.com.

August 3, 2026 - The American Society of Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP, https://asapnet.org) is in the process of soliciting recommendations for the next version of the ASAP 5.x reporting standard.  The last Implementation Guide ASAP Standard for Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs version 5.0 was released in 2023.  On June 16, 2026 BIll Lockwood, Executive Director of ASAP, presented a Town Hall hosted by PDMP TTAC to present current suggestions for the next version.  PDMP administrators may submit recommendations or comments to Bill Lockwood (wal@computertalk.com), PDMP TTAC (pdmpassist@iir.com), or to post suggestions on PDMP PULSE.  After all recommendations are submitted, ASAP will schedule stakeholder meetings in November to include PDMP administrators and pharmacy software vendors and chains to discuss suggested changes for the next version of the reporting standard.  

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

August 3, 2026 – The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy released an update to their Model Prescription Monitoring Program Act. This is typically updated and published each August.  To read the Act, select Learn More

In accordance with President Trump’s December 18, 2025, Executive Order on Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the issuance of an order (opens in a new tab) immediately placing both FDA-approved products containing marijuana and marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, as well as the initiation of an expedited administrative hearing process to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The new hearing (opens in a new tab), beginning June 29, 2026, will provide a timely and legally compliant pathway to evaluate broader changes to marijuana’s status under federal law. Together, these actions provide immediate and long-term clarity to researchers, patients, and providers alike while still maintaining strict federal controls against illicit drug trafficking.

The following comment period, while not directly effecting Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), may have an indirect impact with the reporing by other entities and may be worth monitoring by PDMPs and stakeholders. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

For additional information, see the following link: Federal Register :: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request (opens in a new tab)

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released an updated publication, Drugs of Abuse: A Resource Guide, 2026 Edition.  Drugs of Abuse delivers clear, scientific information about drugs in a factual, straightforward way. With the information in this guide, parents and caregivers can help their children make smart choices and avoid the consequences of drug abuse. This publication covers topics including the Controlled Substances Act and introduces drug classes including narcotics, stimulants, marijuana/cannabis, inhalants, steroids, and more.   More information can be found at https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov (opens in a new tab).

Download the Guide at https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/Drugs-Abuse-2026.pdf. (opens in a new tab)

Washington – On Friday, August 21, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will join Facing Fentanyl (opens in a new tab), to unite families, communities, and organizations across the country in recognizing National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the national observance which honors and remembers the lives lost to fentanyl poisoning. 

This year’s theme, “Power of the Parent,” recognizes the critical role parents and families play in shaping conversations, raising awareness, and helping protect loved ones. Their voices make a meaningful impact: One Nation. One Fight. Facing Fentanyl. Together. 

This day serves as a nationwide call to action to increase awareness to the highly addictive and dangerous drugs containing fentanyl that continue to drive the opioid epidemic and take lives. DEA’s observation of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day will include extended DEA Museum hours and the Faces of Fentanyl memorial exhibit from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, August 21.

"Every day that I walk into DEA Headquarters, I am reminded of the enormous toll of the fentanyl crisis. Thousands of faces make up DEA's Faces of Fentanyl memorial exhibit, and each month we receive hundreds of new photos,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “I've also met remarkable parents who have turned their grief into action – educating communities, advocating for change, and saving lives. Parents are our most powerful allies in this fight, and together, we will build a Fentanyl Free America."

The Faces of Fentanyl memorial exhibit is a representation of the faces of Americans – all ages, all races, and all backgrounds – who have been lost to the synthetic opioid crisis. More than 7,000 photos are displayed throughout the exhibit, which was enhanced last year by the addition of a new, interactive online exhibit, which is accessible at dea.gov/facesoffentanyl (opens in a new tab). 

Fentanyl-related deaths have declined over the past several years, yet fentanyl remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-45 years old. Last year, DEA intensified its fight against the deadly threat of synthetic opioids with the launch of its Fentanyl Free America (opens in a new tab) initiative.

DEA urges the public to remain cognizant of the extreme threat of fentanyl in our communities:

• Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. 
• Just two milligrams, the equivalent of a few grains of salt, is a potentially lethal dose.
• The Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG, both designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (opens in a new tab) in 2025, are pressing fentanyl into counterfeit pills that look like prescription medications – such as oxycodone, Xanax, and Percocet – as well as mixing fentanyl powder with cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. 
• Many of the people poisoned by fentanyl had no idea they were even taking it.
• The only safe medications are ones that come from licensed and accredited medical professionals.

The DEA Museum (opens in a new tab) and Faces of Fentanyl (opens in a new tab) memorial exhibit are located at 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Va., 22202. There is metered street parking around the building and a parking garage at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City across the street. 

If you would like to submit a photo of a loved one lost to fentanyl, please visit the Faces of Fentanyl web page, click on Add a Photo to the Exhibit | Faces of Fentanyl (opens in a new tab) and follow the instructions.

For more information about fentanyl and how you can join the fight, visit Fentanyl Free America | DEA.gov (opens in a new tab) and One Pill Can Kill (opens in a new tab). DEA resources are all available for public use. 

Help spread awareness about the dangers of fentanyl by posting a photo on social media using the hashtag #FentanylAwarenessDay.

As of June 8, 2026 the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs has released notification of all awards of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY25 Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The 19 awards totals $33,695,418 over the award period, with a maximum award amount of $2,000,000 per jurisdiction. 

August 3, 2026 – The American Society for Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP, https://asapnet.org (opens in a new tab)) is holding the 2027 annual conference at Amelia Island, Florida from January 13-15, 2027.  To register online, make hotel reservations, and to view additional information about the conference, select Learn More.

On May 20, 2026 the Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (Document Citation 91 FR 29407). The Summary Reads, “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulation that governs disclosure of information to and querying of State prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). The rule would clarify certain statutory definitions, including the definition of delegate and licensed health care provider. In doing so, VA would eliminate confusion as to who VA would allow to query the PDMP and would better protect these individuals from any possible adverse action by a State, as long as they are acting within the scope of their VA employment or, if applicable, scope of their contract. The rule would also mandate that VA disclose the specified information to State PDMPs to the extent necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of prescription medicines. This proposed rule would promote safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances to covered individuals and patients who receive VA health care.”. Public Comments must be received by July 20, 2026.