[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 11478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03361]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration

21 CFR Parts 1300 and 1301

[Docket No. DEA-437]
RIN 1117-AB47


Suspicious Orders of Controlled Substances

AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Request for comment; reopening of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On November 2, 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration 
published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) soliciting comments on the proposed revisions relating to the 
suspicious orders of controlled substances. The NPRM provided for a 
comment period ending on January 4, 2021, and the opportunity to 
comment ended accordingly. DEA has determined that a reopening of the 
comment period from February 25, 2021 until March 29, 2021 is 
appropriate as registrants who would be primarily affected by this rule 
are uniquely preoccupied with mitigating the global pandemic caused by 
COVID-19. Accordingly, this reopening will permit additional time to 
prepare and submit comments.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed revisions to the Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking published on November 2, 2020 (85 FR 69282), is 
reopened from February 25, 2021, until March 29, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the methods identified in 
the proposed rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott A. Brinks, Diversion Control 
Division, Drug Enforcement Administration; Mailing Address: 8701 
Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152, Telephone: (571) 362-3261.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 2, 2020, the Drug Enforcement 
Administration (DEA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the 
Federal Register proposing to revise its regulations relating to 
suspicious orders of controlled substances. Upon receipt of an order 
received under suspicious circumstances, registrants authorized to 
distribute controlled substances would select one of two options to 
resolve the issue. Additionally, these registrants would be required to 
submit all suspicious order reports to a DEA centralized database, and 
keep records pertaining to suspicious orders and Orders Received Under 
Suspicious Circumstances (ORUSC).
    DEA received requests from some of the commenters requesting an 
extension of the comment period due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 
One such commenter stated, among other things, that the ability of its 
members to analyze and respond to this proposed rulemaking is adversely 
affected by the large and imminent demand for COVID-19 vaccines. DEA 
understands that the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is vital to 
the continued efforts to combat this global pandemic. Accordingly, DEA 
has decided to reopen the comment period for an additional 30 days, and 
is reopening the comment period for the proposed rulemaking from 
February 25, 2021, until March 29, 2021.

D. Christopher Evans,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-03361 Filed 2-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-P