“More data, available in a more timely fashion, would help the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) better combat America’s ongoing opioid crisis.”
“This is one finding in a recent audit by the Department of Justice’s inspector general. The report found that DEA does use databases like the Automated Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) and the Suspicious Order Reporting System (SORS) to track trends in the diversion of these controlled substances. However, the IG argues that these databases have two main weaknesses: They aren’t updated often enough and they don’t track certain drugs that are known to be used in conjunction with opioids, meaning DEA is missing some data that could be helpful in its mission.”
“The first issue is one of data timeliness. Manufacturers and distributors of these controlled substances are required to report their ordering information to the ARCOS database. But while some manufacturers or distributors do this on a monthly basis, others only do it quarterly…”
“The second issue the IG found was one of data completeness…” Read the full article here.
Source: Better data could help fight the opioid crisis, says DOJ IG – By Tajha Chappellet-Lanier, October 1, 2019. FedScoop.
