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.

Initial Physical Examination in Telemedicine - New September 2022

  • 10 NYCRR §§80.62 and 80.63 require that no controlled substance prescription shall be issued prior to the physical examination of the patient by the practitioner under most circumstances. While a practitioner must perform the physical examination, the parameters for the examination may vary "as indicated" to conform to generally accepted medical standards, including taking into account the drug to be prescribed and the patient's condition, history, and disposition toward the use of controlled substances.
  • A practitioner may rely on a record of a physical examination of the patient under certain conditions, pursuant to 10 NYCRR §80.63(d). A practitioner may prescribe a controlled substance to his or her own patient after a review of the patient's record if the record contains the results of a physical examination performed by a consulting physician or hospital and such record warrants the prescribing. The examination of record must have been performed specific to the diagnosis for which the prescription is being considered, and a new diagnosis may necessitate a new physical examination. Both practitioners must be licensed to practice in New York State (NYS).
  • Although the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has temporarily waived its requirement for an in-person physical exam during the COVID-19 emergency, NYS has not waived the requirement for an initial physical exam. However, during the federal public health emergency, the NYS Department of Health is permitting the prescribing of buprenorphine for medication-assisted treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) without the physical examination of the patient. No other controlled substances are subject to this temporary exception to NYS's independent requirements.
  • New York State Guidance for Accessing Buprenorphine through Telemedicine (PDF)

New York State Opioid Stewardship Act

Important Update: Transaction Data for all opioids sold or distributed to or within New Yok State for the 2018 calendar year must be reported to the New York State Department of Health on or before June 1, 2022.

Click on the following link for more information and guidance.

NYS Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Instructional Videos

New July 2021

Instructional videos for New York State Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) users are available for several NYS PMP topics. These videos give on-line guidance in the use of various features and functions of the PMP. The trainings may also be accessed from within the PMP Help area. An HCS account is necessary for viewing.

  • NYS Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Practitioner Reports: This video provides a demonstration for practitioners on how to use search tools to review practitioner history.
  • NYS Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Assigning a Designee: This video provides a demonstration for practitioners on how to make designee assignments.
  • NYS Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Reporting Suspicious Activity: This video provides a demonstration for practitioners on how to report suspicious activity.
  • NYS Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Requirements for New to Practice Residents and Interns: This training reviews requirements and process for using the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Registry for new to practice residents and interns in medical teaching facilities.

New York State Opioid Excise Tax

Important Update: The Department of Health’s Opioid Annual Report for 2021 transactional activity is due on April 20, 2022.

New York State Drug Take Back Act

Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)

An on-line instructional webinar is available which covers a variety of topics associated with the New York State Prescription Monitoring Program Registry (PMP) including the use of the PMP registry search and use of the PMP Data Collection Tool.

Prescribers and pharmacists can earn 1.0 hour of free ACCME or ACPE continuing education for completing this program. The webinar, done in collaboration with the University at Buffalo, can be accessed at PMP Instructional Webinar

Written Treatment Plan for Opioid Prescribing

Effective April 1, 2018, a written treatment plan in the patient’s medical record is required if a practitioner prescribes opioids for pain that has lasted for more than three months or past the time of normal tissue healing.

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.

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. The course work or training must be completed once every three years, and an attestation confirming completion made to the Department. Click on the following link for more information and guidance.

Guideline for 'Waste' Disposal System Use

Important Facts About Controlled Substance Prescription Medications

Mandatory Electronic Prescribing Effective March 27, 2016

Opioid Treatment Guidelines and Other Information for Healthcare Professionals and Patients Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)