SPECIAL ALERT Any APN who prescribes Ultram (tramadol) or Soma (carisoprodol) needs to be aware that these two medications are now CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (Schedule IV) according to both the DEA and the State of Illinois.  Therefore, if you do not have an IL controlled substance license substances and a DEA number for Schedule IV substances, you must immediately stop writing prescriptions for these two medications.     If prescribing these medications is an important part of your practice and you do not yet have an IL controlled substance license and a DEA number, you must go through the process of acquiring them.  The first step is to get the IL controlled substance license, which requires your collaborating physician to sign a "Delegation of Authority to Prescribe Controlled Substances" form which must be mailed to IDFPR.  That license application and delegation form can be found at www.idfpr.com <http://www.idfpr.com> .  Of course, your written collaborative agreement has to also reflect that authority.  Once you get an IL controlled substance license, you can then apply for a DEA number at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/index.html   JUST TO BE CLEAR: If you do not ever prescribe medications that are on the controlled substances list (i.e., are not on the Schedules of II, III, IV, V--no one prescribes anything on Schedule I), in theory, you do not need an IL controlled substance license or DEA number.  The lists of what substances are on which list can be found on either website listed above.   HOWEVER, most pharmacies (especially retail pharmacies) really, really, really want to see a DEA number on a prescription, as do some insurance companies.  So, you make everyone's life easier--especially your patients--if you have a DEA number.  If your collaborating physician is apprehensive about delegating controlled substances to you, suggest that s/he delegate authority for ONLY the Schedule V list.  These are the medications with the least risk of harm or addiction (e.g., cough medicine with small amounts of codeine).   That way, you still can get a DEA #, but you will not be authorized to prescribe the more "popular" and harmful medications.  Needless to say, if you may only prescribe medications on the lists for which you have been delegated to prescribe, so be sure you know what meds are on which lists!   Marie Lindsey, Chair Government Relations Committee

APRNs Provide Care Equal to Doctors, Review Concludes