[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1823-1827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00627]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration


Jason Vanshaar, M.D.; Decision and Order

    On May 28, 2025, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA or 
Government) issued an Order to Show Cause and Immediate Suspension of 
Registration (OSC/ISO) to Jason VanShaar, M.D., of Uintah, Utah 
(Registrant). OSC/ISO, at 1, 9; Request for Final Agency Action (RFAA), 
Exhibit (RFAAX) 1, at 1, 9. The OSC/ISO informed Registrant of the 
immediate suspension of his DEA Certificate of Registration, No. 
FV2721694, based in Utah, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 824(d), alleging that 
Registrant's continued registration constitutes ``an imminent danger to 
the public health or safety.'' OSC/ISO, at 1; RFAAX 1, at 1 (quoting 21 
U.S.C. 824(d)). The OSC/ISO also proposed the revocation of 
Registrant's DEA Certificate of Registration, No. FV2721694, and the 
denial of Registrant's application for an additional DEA Certificate of 
Registration, No. W24166810C, based in Arizona, alleging that 
Registrant's continued registration is inconsistent with the public 
interest. OSC/ISO, at 1; RFAAX 1, at 1 (citing 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1); 
824(a)(4)).\1\
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    \1\ Based on the Government's submissions in its RFAA dated July 
15, 2025, the Agency finds that service of the OSC/ISO on Registrant 
was adequate. Specifically, the Declaration from a DEA Diversion 
Investigator (DI) indicates that on May 29, 2025, the DI traveled to 
Registrant's registered address and personally served the OSC/ISO on 
Registrant. RFAAX 2, at 2; see also id. at 3 (Form DEA-12 signed by 
Registrant acknowledging receipt of the OSC/ISO).
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    The OSC/ISO alleged that from at least February 2021 to at least 
March 2025, Registrant repeatedly violated federal and Utah state law 
by issuing at least 288 prescriptions for Schedule II-IV controlled 
substances to four patients outside the usual course of professional 
practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, in violation of 21 
CFR 1306.04(a); Utah Code Ann. Sec. Sec.  58-1-501(2)(a)(xiii)(A), 58-
37-6(7)(i), 58-37-19(2)(a)-(e), 58-37f-304(2)(a)-(b)(i); and Utah 
Admin. Code r. Sec.  156-37-602(1)(b)-(c).\2\ OSC/ISO, at 2-4; RFAAX 1, 
at 2-4. Specifically, the OSC/ISO alleged that, among other things, 
Registrant failed to determine medical necessity for prescribing 
controlled substances, failed to conduct appropriate physical exams, 
failed to maintain accurate medical records, and prescribed dangerous 
combinations of controlled substances. OSC/ISO, at 4; RFAAX 1, at 4.
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    \2\ The Agency need not adjudicate the criminal violations 
alleged in the OSC/ISO. Ruan v. United States, 597 U.S. 450 (2022) 
(decided in the context of criminal proceedings).
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    On July 15, 2025, the Government submitted an RFAA requesting that 
the Agency issue a default final order revoking Registrant's 
registration and denying Registrant's application. RFAA, at 9-10. After 
carefully reviewing the entire record and conducting the analysis as 
set forth in more detail below, the Agency grants the Government's 
request for final agency action, revokes Registrant's registration, and 
denies Registrant's application.

[[Page 1824]]

I. Default Determination

    Under 21 CFR 1301.43, a registrant entitled to a hearing who fails 
to file a timely hearing request ``within 30 days after the date of 
receipt of the [OSC/ISO] . . . shall be deemed to have waived their 
right to a hearing and to be in default'' unless ``good cause'' is 
established for the failure. 21 CFR 1301.43(a) & (c)(1). In the absence 
of a demonstration of good cause, a registrant who fails to timely file 
an answer also is ``deemed to have waived their right to a hearing and 
to be in default.'' 21 CFR 1301.43(c)(2). Unless excused, a default is 
deemed to constitute ``an admission of the factual allegations of the 
[OSC/ISO].'' 21 CFR 1301.43(e).
    Here, the OSC/ISO notified Registrant of his right to file a 
written request for hearing, and that if he failed to file such a 
request, he would be deemed to have waived his right to a hearing and 
be in default. OSC/ISO, at 8-9; RFAAX 1, at 8-9 (citing 21 CFR 
1301.43). According to the Government's RFAA, Registrant failed to 
request a hearing. RFAA, at 2. Thus, the Agency finds that Registrant 
is in default and therefore has admitted to the factual allegations in 
the OSC/ISO. 21 CFR 1301.43(e).

II. Applicable Law

    As the Supreme Court stated in Gonzales v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1 
(2005), ``the main objectives of the [Controlled Substances Act (CSA)] 
were to conquer drug abuse and control the legitimate and illegitimate 
traffic in controlled substances.'' 545 U.S. at 12. Gonzales explained 
that:

    Congress was particularly concerned with the need to prevent the 
diversion of drugs from legitimate to illicit channels. To 
effectuate these goals, Congress devised a closed regulatory system 
making it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess 
any controlled substance except in a manner authorized by the CSA . 
. . . The CSA and its implementing regulations set forth strict 
requirements regarding registration, labeling and packaging, 
production quotas, drug security, and recordkeeping.

Id. at 12-14.
    The OSC/ISO's allegations concern the CSA's ``statutory and 
regulatory provisions . . . mandating . . . compliance with . . . 
prescription requirements'' and, therefore, go to the heart of the 
CSA's ``closed regulatory system'' specifically designed ``to conquer 
drug abuse and to control the legitimate and illegitimate traffic in 
controlled substances,'' and ``to prevent the diversion of drugs from 
legitimate to illicit channels.'' Id. at 12-14, 27.

A. Allegation That Registrant Improperly Prescribed Controlled 
Substances

    According to the CSA's implementing regulations, a lawful 
controlled substance prescription is one that is ``issued for a 
legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the 
usual course of his professional practice.'' 21 CFR 1306.04(a); see 
Gonzales v. Oregon, 546 U.S. 243, 274 (2006), United States v. Hayes, 
595 F.2d 258 (5th Cir. 1979), rehearing den., 598 F.2d 620 (5th Cir. 
1979), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 866 (1979); RFAAX 1, at 2. A 
``practitioner must establish and maintain a bona fide doctor-patient 
relationship in order to act `in the usual course of . . . professional 
practice' and to issue a prescription for a `legitimate medical 
purpose.' '' Dewey C. MacKay, M.D., 75 FR 49,956, 49,973 (2010).
    As for state law, Utah regulations state that unprofessional 
conduct includes issuing a prescription ``without first obtaining 
information in the usual course of professional practice, that is 
sufficient to establish a diagnosis, to identify conditions, and to 
identify contraindications to the proposed treatment.'' Utah Code Ann. 
Sec.  58-1-501(2)(a)(xiii)(A); RFAAX 1, at 1-2.
    The Utah Controlled Substances Act states that a practitioner ``may 
not prescribe or administer dosages of a controlled substance in excess 
of medically recognized quantities necessary to treat the ailment, 
malady, or condition of the ultimate user.'' Utah Code Ann. Sec.  58-
37-6(7)(i); RFAAX 1, at 2. The Utah Controlled Substances Act also 
requires that, subject to very limited exceptions not applicable here, 
``a prescriber may not issue an initial opiate prescription without 
discussing with the patient . . . (a) the risks of addiction and 
overdose associated with opiate drugs; (b) the dangers of taking 
opiates with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system 
depressants; (c) the reasons why the prescription is necessary; (d) 
alternative treatments that may be available; and (e) other risks 
associated with the use of the drugs being prescribed.'' Utah Code Ann. 
Sec.  58-37-19(2)(a)-(e); RFAAX 1, at 2.
    Moreover, the Utah Controlled Substance Database Act requires that 
a prescriber check the Utah Controlled Substance Database for 
information about a patient before the first time prescribing him or 
her a Schedule II or III opioid. Utah Code Ann. Sec.  58-37f-304(2)(a); 
RFAAX 1, at 2. The Utah Controlled Substance Database Act also requires 
that the prescriber repeatedly review information about the patient in 
the Utah Controlled Substance Database if the prescriber is repeatedly 
prescribing a Schedule II or III opioid to the patient. Utah Code Ann. 
Sec.  58-37f-304(2)(b)(i); RFAAX 1, at 2.
    Finally, the Utah Administrative Code requires that ``[p]rescribing 
practitioners shall keep accurate records for each patient reflecting: 
(i) examination; (ii) evaluation; and (iii) treatment.'' Utah Admin. 
Code r. Sec.  156-37-602(1)(b); RFAAX 1, at 2. The Utah Administrative 
Code also requires that ``[p]atient medical records shall: (i) 
accurately reflect the prescription or administration of controlled 
substances in the treatment of the patient; (ii) the purpose for which 
the controlled substance is utilized; and (iii) information upon which 
the diagnosis is based.'' Utah Admin. Code r. Sec.  156-37-602(1)(c); 
RFAAX 1, at 2.

III. Findings of Fact

    In light of Registrant's default, the factual allegations in the 
OSC/ISO are deemed admitted. 21 CFR 1301.43(e). Accordingly, Registrant 
admits that from at least February 2021 to at least March 2025, 
Registrant repeatedly violated federal and Utah state law by issuing at 
least 288 prescriptions for Schedule II-IV controlled substances to 
four patients outside the course of professional practice and not for a 
legitimate medical purpose. OSC/ISO, at 2-4.

Patient C.B.

    Registrant admits that between August 23, 2021, and February 3, 
2025, Registrant issued at least 40 prescriptions for oxymorphone ER 40 
mg (a Schedule II opioid) to Patient C.B. OSC/ISO, at 4. Registrant 
also admits that between June 16, 2021, and February 3, 2025, 
Registrant issued at least 34 prescriptions for oxycodone 30 mg (a 
Schedule II opioid) to Patient C.B. Id. Registrant admits that 
Registrant issued all of these prescriptions despite, among other 
things: (a) failing to obtain information in the usual course of 
professional practice that is sufficient to establish a diagnosis; (b) 
failing to conduct and document an appropriate physical examination 
before prescribing opioids; (c) prescribing dosages of controlled 
substances in excess of medically recognized quantities necessary to 
treat the ailment, malady, or condition of the ultimate user; (d) 
failing to discuss with the patient the risks associated with opiates 
prior to prescribing opiates; (e) failing to periodically check the 
Utah Controlled Substance Database while repeatedly prescribing 
Schedule II opioids; and (f) failing to maintain accurate medical

[[Page 1825]]

records. Id. Registrant admits that the above prescriptions for 
controlled substances issued to Patient C.B. were not issued for a 
legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the 
usual course of his professional practice. Id.

Patient M.N.

    Registrant admits that between February 8, 2021, and June 30, 2023, 
Registrant issued at least 31 prescriptions for alprazolam 2 mg (a 
Schedule IV benzodiazepine) to Patient M.N. Id. at 5. Registrant also 
admits that between February 8, 2021, and June 30, 2023, Registrant 
issued at least 32 prescriptions for carisoprodol 350 mg (a Schedule IV 
muscle relaxant) to Patient M.N. Id. Registrant further admits that 
between February 8, 2021, and June 30, 2023, Registrant issued at least 
30 prescriptions for oxycodone 30 mg, at least one prescription for 
oxycodone 15 mg, and at least one prescription for oxycodone 5 mg to 
Patient M.N. Id. Registrant admits that Registrant issued all of these 
prescriptions despite, among other things: (a) repeatedly issuing 
overlapping prescriptions for controlled substances resulting in drug 
cocktails, including at least 29 Holy Trinity \3\ cocktails, without 
sufficiently establishing a diagnosis and identifying contraindications 
to the proposed treatment and without discussing with the patient the 
dangers of taking opioids in combination with benzodiazepines and other 
central nervous system depressants; (b) failing to conduct and document 
an appropriate physical examination before prescribing opioids; (c) 
prescribing dosages of controlled substances in excess of medically 
recognized quantities necessary to treat the ailment, malady, or 
condition of the ultimate user; (d) failing to periodically check the 
Utah Controlled Substance Database while repeatedly prescribing 
Schedule II opioids; and (e) failing to maintain accurate medical 
records. Id. Registrant admits that the above prescriptions for 
controlled substances issued to Patient M.N. were not issued for a 
legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the 
usual course of his professional practice. Id.
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    \3\ ``Holy Trinity'' refers to opioids in combination with 
prescriptions for alprazolam and carisoprodol. Id. Registrant admits 
that the ``Holy Trinity'' cocktail greatly increases a patient's 
risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death, and that 
DEA has held that these cocktails are highly abused and associated 
with diversion. RFAAX 1, at 2 (citing Jacobo Dreszer, M.D., 76 FR 
19,386, 19,389 (2011) (describing combinations of opioids and 
benzodiazepines as ``drug cocktails'' and noting that when ``used in 
combination, the potential for [a] drug overdose and death is 
increased'').
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Patient S.C.

    Registrant admits that between March 5, 2021, and February 5, 2025, 
Registrant issued at least 38 prescriptions for alprazolam 2 mg to 
Patient S.C. Id. at 6. Registrant also admits that between March 5, 
2021, and February 5, 2025, Registrant issued at least 40 prescriptions 
for oxycodone 30 mg to Patient S.C. Id. Registrant further admits that 
between March 5, 2021, and February 5, 2025, Registrant issued at least 
38 prescriptions for carisoprodol 350 mg to Patient S.C. Id. Registrant 
admits that Registrant issued all of these prescriptions despite, among 
other things: (a) repeatedly issuing overlapping prescriptions for 
controlled substances resulting in drug cocktails, including at least 
38 Holy Trinity cocktails, without sufficiently establishing a 
diagnosis and identifying contraindications to the proposed treatment 
and without discussing with the patient the dangers of taking opioids 
in combination with benzodiazepines and other central nervous system 
depressants; (b) failing to conduct and document an appropriate 
physical examination before prescribing opioids; (c) prescribing 
dosages of controlled substances in excess of medically recognized 
quantities necessary to treat the ailment, malady, or condition of the 
ultimate user; (d) failing to periodically check the Utah Controlled 
Substance Database while repeatedly prescribing Schedule II opioids; 
and (e) failing to maintain accurate medical records. Id. Registrant 
admits that the above prescriptions for controlled substances issued to 
Patient S.C. were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose by an 
individual practitioner acting in the usual course of his professional 
practice. Id.

Patient A.L.

    Registrant admits that between September 20, 2024, and March 14, 
2025, Registrant issued approximately 9 prescriptions for oxycodone 30 
mg to Patient A.L. OSC/ISO, at 7. Registrant also admits that between 
September 20, 2024, and March 14, 2025, Registrant issued approximately 
9 prescriptions for Adderall \4\ 15 mg (a Schedule II central nervous 
system stimulant) to Patient A.L. Id. Registrant admits that Registrant 
issued all of these prescriptions despite, among other things: (a) 
failing to obtain information in the usual course of professional 
practice that is sufficient to establish a diagnosis; (b) failing to 
conduct and document an appropriate physical examination before 
prescribing opioids; (c) prescribing dosages of controlled substances 
in excess of medically recognized quantities necessary to treat the 
ailment, malady, or condition of the ultimate user; (d) failing to 
discuss with the patient the risks associated with opiates prior to 
prescribing opiates; (e) failing to periodically check the Utah 
Controlled Substance Database while repeatedly prescribing Schedule II 
opioids; and (f) failing to maintain accurate medical records. Id. 
Registrant admits that the above prescriptions for controlled 
substances issued to Patient A.L. were not issued for a legitimate 
medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the usual 
course of his professional practice. Id.
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    \4\ Adderall is a brand name for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine 
mixed salts.
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    DEA retained an independent medical expert to review, among other 
materials, Registrant's patient files and/or prescribing history for 
Patients C.B., M.N., S.C., and A.L. Id. at 8. DEA's medical expert 
concluded that Registrant's issuance of the above prescriptions fell 
outside the standard of care applicable to the practice of medicine in 
Utah. Id.
    In consideration of the above, the Agency finds substantial record 
evidence that Registrant issued at least 288 prescriptions that lacked 
a legitimate medical purpose and were issued outside the usual course 
of professional practice in Utah.

IV. Public Interest Determination

A. Legal Background on Public Interest Determinations

    When the CSA's requirements are not met, the Attorney General ``may 
deny, suspend, or revoke [a] registration if . . . the [registrant's] 
registration would be `inconsistent with the public interest.' '' 
Gonzales v. Oregon, 546 U.S. 243, 251 (2006) (quoting 21 U.S.C. 
824(a)(4)). In the case of a ``practitioner,'' Congress directed the 
Attorney General to consider five factors in making the public interest 
determination. Id.; 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1)(A-E).\5\
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    \5\ The five factors are:
    (A) The recommendation of the appropriate State licensing board 
or professional disciplinary authority.
    (B) The [registrant's] experience in dispensing, or conducting 
research with respect to controlled substances.
    (C) The [registrant's] conviction record under Federal or State 
laws relating to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of 
controlled substances.
    (D) Compliance with applicable State, Federal, or local laws 
relating to controlled substances.
    (E) Such other conduct which may threaten the public health and 
safety.
    21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1)(A-E).

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[[Page 1826]]

    The five factors are considered in the disjunctive. Gonzales v. 
Oregon, 546 U.S. at 292-93 (Scalia, J., dissenting) (``It is well 
established that these factors are to be considered in the 
disjunctive,'' quoting In re Arora, 60 FR 4447, 4448 (1995)); Robert A. 
Leslie, M.D., 68 FR 15,227, 15,230 (2003). Each factor is weighed on a 
case-by-case basis. David H. Gillis, M.D., 58 FR 37,507, 37,508 (1993); 
see Morall v. Drug Enf't Admin., 412 F.3d 165, 181 (D.C. Cir. 2005) 
(describing the Agency's adjudicative process as ``applying a multi-
factor test through case-by-case adjudication,'' quoting LeMoyne-Owen 
Coll. v. N.L.R.B., 357 F.3d 55, 61 (D.C. Cir. 2004)). Any one factor, 
or combination of factors, may be decisive, David H. Gillis, M.D., 58 
FR at 37,508, and the Agency ``may give each factor the weight . . . 
deem[ed] appropriate in determining whether a registration should be 
revoked or an application for registration denied.'' Morall, 412 F.3d. 
at 185 n.2 (Henderson, J., concurring) (quoting Robert A. Smith, M.D., 
70 FR 33,207, 33,208 (2007)); see also Penick Corp. v. Drug Enf't 
Admin., 491 F.3d 483, 490 (D.C. Cir. 2007).
    Moreover, while the Agency is required to consider each of the 
factors, it ``need not make explicit findings as to each one.'' MacKay 
v. Drug Enf't Admin., 664 F.3d 808, 816 (10th Cir. 2011) (quoting 
Volkman v. U.S. Drug Enf't Admin., 567 F.3d 215, 222 (6th Cir. 2009)); 
Jones Total Health Care Pharmacy, LLC v. Drug Enf't Admin., 881 F.3d 
823, 830 (11th Cir. 2018); Hoxie v. Drug Enf't Admin., 419 F.3d 477, 
482 (6th Cir. 2005). ``In short, . . . the Agency is not required to 
mechanically count up the factors and determine how many favor the 
Government and how many favor the registrant. Rather, it is an inquiry 
which focuses on protecting the public interest; what matters is the 
seriousness of the registrant's misconduct.'' Jayam Krishna-Iyer, M.D., 
74 FR 459, 462 (2009). Accordingly, as the Tenth Circuit has 
recognized, Agency decisions have explained that findings under a 
single factor can support the revocation of a registration. MacKay, 664 
F.3d at 821.
    The Government has the burden of proof in this proceeding. 21 CFR 
1301.44(e).

B. Registrant's Registration is Inconsistent With the Public Interest

    While the Agency has considered all the public interest factors of 
21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1),\6\ the Government's evidence in support of its 
prima facie case is confined to Factors B and D. OSC/ISO, at 7. 
Evidence is considered under Factors B and D when it reflects 
compliance or non-compliance with laws related to controlled substances 
and experience dispensing controlled substances. Kareem Hubbard, M.D., 
87 FR 21,156, 21,162 (2022).
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    \6\ As to Factor A, there is no record evidence of disciplinary 
action against Registrant's state medical license. 21 U.S.C. 
823(g)(1)(A). State authority to practice medicine is ``a necessary, 
but not a sufficient condition for registration.'' Robert A. Leslie, 
M.D., 68 FR at 15,230. Therefore, ``[t]he fact that the record 
contains no evidence of a recommendation by a state licensing board 
does not weigh for or against a determination as to whether 
continuation of the [registrant's] [registration] is consistent with 
the public interest.'' Roni Dreszer, M.D., 76 FR 19,434, 19,444 
(2011). As to Factor C, there is no evidence in the record that 
Registrant has been convicted of any federal or state law offense 
``relating to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of 
controlled substances.'' 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1)(C). However, as Agency 
cases have noted, ``the absence of such a conviction is of 
considerably less consequence in the public interest inquiry'' and 
is therefore not dispositive. Dewey C. MacKay, M.D., 75 FR at 
49,973. As to Factor E, the Government's evidence fits squarely 
within the parameters of Factors B and D and does not raise ``other 
conduct which may threaten the public health and safety.'' 21 U.S.C. 
823(g)(1)(E). Accordingly, Factor E does not weigh for or against 
Registrant.
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    Here, as found above, Registrant is deemed to have admitted and the 
Agency finds that Registrant issued at least 288 prescriptions that 
lacked a legitimate medical purpose and were issued outside the usual 
course of professional practice. Accordingly, the Agency finds 
substantial record evidence that Registrant violated 21 CFR 1306.04(a); 
Utah Code Ann. Sec. Sec.  58-1-501(2)(a)(xiii)(A), 58-37-6(7)(i), 58-
37-19(2)(a)-(e), 58-37f-304(2)(a)-(b)(i); and Utah Admin. Code r. Sec.  
156-37-602(1)(b)-(c). The Agency further finds that after considering 
the factors of 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1), Registrant's continued registration 
is ``inconsistent with the public interest.'' 21 U.S.C. 824(a)(4). 
Accordingly, the Government satisfied its prima facie burden of showing 
that Registrant's continued registration would be ``inconsistent with 
the public interest.'' 21 U.S.C. 824(a)(4). The Agency also finds that 
there is insufficient mitigating evidence to rebut the Government's 
prima facie case. Thus, the only remaining issue is whether, in spite 
of Registrant's misconduct, he can be trusted with a registration.

V. Sanction

    Where, as here, the Government has met the burden of showing that 
Registrant's registration is inconsistent with the public interest, the 
burden shifts to Registrant to show why he can be entrusted with a 
registration. Morall, 412 F.3d. at 174; Jones Total Health Care 
Pharmacy, LLC v. Drug Enf't Admin., 881 F.3d 823, 830 (11th Cir. 2018); 
Garrett Howard Smith, M.D., 83 FR 18,882, 18,904 (2018). The issue of 
trust is necessarily a fact-dependent determination based on the 
circumstances presented by the individual registrant. Jeffrey Stein, 
M.D., 84 FR 46,968, 46,972 (2019); see also Jones Total Health Care 
Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 833. Moreover, as past performance is the best 
predictor of future performance, the Agency requires that a registrant 
who has committed acts inconsistent with the public interest accept 
responsibility for those acts and demonstrate that he will not engage 
in future misconduct. See Jones Total Health Care Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 
833; ALRA Labs, Inc. v. Drug Enf't Admin., 54 F.3d 450, 452 (7th Cir. 
1995). The Agency requires a registrant's unequivocal acceptance of 
responsibility. Janet S. Pettyjohn, D.O., 89 FR 82,639, 82,641 (2024); 
Mohammed Asgar, M.D., 83 FR 29,569, 29,573 (2018); see also Jones Total 
Health Care Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 830-31. In addition, a registrant's 
candor during the investigation and hearing is an important factor in 
determining acceptance of responsibility and the appropriate sanction. 
See Jones Total Health Care Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 830-31; Hoxie, 419 
F.3d at 483-84. Further, the Agency considers the egregiousness and 
extent of the misconduct as significant factors in determining the 
appropriate sanction. See Jones Total Health Care Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 
834 & n.4. The Agency also considers the need to deter similar acts by 
a registrant and by the community of registrants. Jeffrey Stein, M.D., 
84 FR at 46,972-73.
    Here, Registrant did not request a hearing or answer the 
allegations in the OSC/ISO and was therefore deemed to be in default. 
See supra I. To date, Registrant has not filed a motion with the Office 
of the Administrator to excuse the default. 21 CFR 1301.43(c)(1). 
Registrant has thus failed to answer the allegations contained in the 
OSC/ISO and has not otherwise availed himself of the opportunity to 
refute the Government's case. As such, Registrant has not accepted 
responsibility for the proven violations, has made no representations 
regarding his future compliance with the CSA, and has not demonstrated 
that he can be trusted with registration. Accordingly, the Agency will 
order the revocation of Registrant's registration and the denial of 
Registrant's application.

[[Page 1827]]

Order

    Pursuant to 28 CFR 0.100(b) and the authority vested in me by 21 
U.S.C. 824(a) and 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1), I hereby revoke DEA Certificate 
of Registration No. FV2721694 issued to Jason VanShaar, M.D., deny the 
pending application for a DEA Certificate of Registration No. 
W24166810C submitted by Jason VanShaar, M.D., and deny any other 
pending applications submitted by Jason VanShaar, M.D., in Utah or 
Arizona. This Order is effective February 17, 2026.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Drug Enforcement Administration was signed on 
January 6, 2026, by Administrator Terrance C. Cole. That document with 
the original signature and date is maintained by DEA. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DEA Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of DEA. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect 
of this document upon publication in the Federal Register.

Heather Achbach,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Drug Enforcement Administration.
[FR Doc. 2026-00627 Filed 1-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-P