QA Double Blind Study

Drug Enforcement Administration
Diversion Control Division
Researcher Guidance Document
Title: Q&A 222 Blind Study Procedures
Question: How should a Researcher registrant complete a DEA Form 222 when participating in
double-blind studies in which the exact quantity of schedule I or II controlled substances
received is unknown?
DEA registrants participating in double-blind studies should indicate the total quantity of
each test material requested on the DEA Form 222 when submitting it to the controlled
substance supplier. The controlled substance and exact amount received will be recorded by the
researcher at the completion of the study. Researchers using either the existing triplicate DEA
Form 222 or the new single-sheet version should submit them to their supplier in accordance
with 21 CFR Part 1305.
The controlled substance supplier will note the actual quantity of controlled substance(s)
(active dosage units) distributed on the received DEA Form 222. The supplier will also report the
completed shipments to DEA’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System
(ARCOS) unit.
Upon receipt of the test material, researchers will record the date of receipt on their copy
of DEA Form 222, or attach the documentation to their retained Copy 3, but they will not fill in
the true name of the controlled substance or the amount received until after the completion of the
blind clinical study.
Upon completion of the study, the supplier will notify the researcher of the actual name
and quantity of the controlled substance(s) provided. The researcher will record that information
on their copy of DEA Form 222, or attach that documentation to their retained Copy 3.
This guidance is not an exception to regulations, but an application of DEA’s existing
policy regarding blind clinical studies.
Guidance documents, like this document, are not binding and lack the force and effect of
law, unless expressly authorized by statute or expressly incorporated into a contract, grant, or
cooperative agreement. Consistent with Executive Order 13891 and the Office of Management
and Budget implementing memoranda, the Department will not cite, use, or rely on any guidance
document that is not accessible through the Department’s guidance portal, or similar guidance
portals for other Executive Branch departments and agencies, except to establish historical facts.
To the extent any guidance document sets out voluntary standards (e.g., recommended practices),
compliance with those standards is voluntary, and noncompliance will not result in enforcement
action. Guidance documents may be rescinded or modified in the Department’s complete
discretion, consistent with applicable laws.
EO-DEA170, DEA-DC-048, October 13, 2020