Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement
The Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) is responsible for protecting the public health by combating the illegal use and trafficking of prescription controlled substances. The Bureau provides millions of secure Official New York State Prescriptions annually to over 95,000 prescribing practitioners across the State. BNE monitors and regulates controlled substances through its issuance of licenses to manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, nursing homes, and researchers. BNE Narcotic Investigators investigate suspected drug diversion or illegal sales involving theft, forgery, and fraudulent visits to practitioners' offices, and work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement. The Bureau also prevents prescription drug abuse through educational materials and presentations for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals.
Opioid Stewardship Act
Effective July 1, 2018, all manufacturers, distributors, and importers licensed in New York State (NYS) as of January 1, 2017, must report transaction information for all opioids sold or distributed to or within NYS to the NYS Department of Health's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement as mandated under the Opioid Stewardship Act (OSA). The Department will calculate ratable shares of an assessment based on the reported data, and will issue invoices for the ratable shares of the assessment to each licensee by October 15, 2018. Payments of the invoices are due on January 1, 2019. The Department will provide guidance on when subsequent reports and payments are due for future years.
Click on the following links for more information and guidance.
- List of Reportable Opioids – July 24, 2018 (PDF)
- Opioid Stewardship Act Third Notification Letter – July 19, 2018 (PDF)
- New York State Opioid Assessment Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) Guidance (PDF)
- Opioid Stewardship Act Second Notification Letter - June 26, 2018 (PDF)
- New York State Opioid Annual Assessment Reporting Guidance (PDF)
- Opioid Stewardship Act First Notification Letter - May 2018 (PDF)
- Part NN of the Fiscal Year 2019 State Budget (PDF)
Addiction and Substance Use Disorder Educational Resource
To address the increase in substance use disorders, the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, and the Education Department have created the New York State Addiction and Substance Use Disorder Educational Resource flash drive. The flash drive will be offered at no charge to New York State schools as a guide for personal conversations and community forums to help prevent and address substance use among young people. A list of resources with online links can be found in the Resource letter below.
- Resource Letter (PDF)
- Letter from the Commissioners (PDF)
- Flash Drive Order Form (PDF)
- Governor Cuomo Announces New Initiatives to Combat Substance Abuse Among School-Aged Children and Student Athletes (PDF)
Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)
Mandatory Prescriber Education
Prescribers licensed in New York to treat humans and who have a DEA registration number to prescribe controlled substances, as well as medical residents who prescribe controlled substances under a facility DEA registration number, must complete at least three (3) hours of course work or training in pain management, palliative care, and addiction by July 1, 2017. Click on the following link for more information and guidance.
- Mandatory Prescriber Education Guidance (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions - Updated June 2017 (PDF)
- Attestation Process
- Additional information regarding Mandatory Prescriber Education
Guideline for 'Waste' Disposal System Use
Important Facts About Controlled Substance Prescription Medications
Mandatory Electronic Prescribing Effective March 27, 2016
- Letter from the NYS Commissioner of Health to practitioners and pharmacists regarding a blanket waiver of the electronic prescribing requirements for nursing homes and residential health care facilities – November 1, 2018
- Letter from the NYS Commissioner of Health to practitioners and pharmacists regarding a blanket waiver for additional exceptional circumstances related to electronic prescribing – June 6, 2018
- Letter from the NYS Commissioner of Health to practitioners and pharmacists regarding a blanket waiver of the electronic prescribing requirements for nursing homes and residential health care facilities – November 8, 2017
- Practitioner Notification Process – Use of an Electronic Prescribing Exception (Revised September 30, 2016)
- Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances - NYSDOH
- Electronic Transmittal of Prescriptions in New York State Frequently Asked Questions - NYSED
- FAQs (PDF) - Updated November 2016 - Update to Practitioner Reporting Requirements 136-145
Opioid Treatment Guidelines and Other Information for Healthcare Professionals and Patients Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Learn more about the guidelines