Checklist for Controlled Substances

Division of Science’s Controlled Substance Program Overview

The Division of Science’s Controlled Substance Program manages the use of scheduled controlled substances and prescription drugs across the FAS Cambridge campus.  Dr. Kathleen Pritchett-Corning, Director of the Office of Animal Resources (pritchettcorning@fas.harvard.edu) holds licenses with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Drug Control Program (MA DPH). All research involving controlled substances and/or prescription drugs is required to comply with the policies and regulations set forth by the DEA and MA DPH.

  • Please contact Taylor Chang, Research Operations Manager (taylorchang@fas.harvard.edu) to see if you are eligible to be covered as an authorized research group under the FAS Division of Science Controlled Substance Program.
  • Use of controlled substances cannot commence until all approvals at the local, state, and federal levels are obtained. Before applying to the program, ensure that the lab has an approved IACUC Protocol for all research in which drugs will be administered to animals. Once the application is approved, the laboratory must then obtain and install a wall-mounted, double-keyed steel narcotics cabinet for scheduled controlled substance storage which must be inspected before use. A numbered and bound logbook to record drug usage will be provided.
  • Researchers are not authorized to access controlled substances and prescription drugs in the lab until the Controlled Substance Authorized Researcher Training is complete. This 45-minute virtual training conducted over Zoom is required for all authorized researchers. New researchers can sign-up for a class in HTP that works with their schedule.
  • Please visit the FAS Division of Science Controlled Substance Program Sharepoint for helpful information including
    • Harvard’s Authorized Researcher’s Guide for Use of Controlled Substances
    • Controlled Substance Application Form and other required forms
    • Ordering guides and product listings
    • Disposal procedure guidance
    • Training materials
    • Contact information and program announcements

If your research does not meet the requirements of the Division of Science’s licenses, please consult with Taylor Chang and Shanna deBlieck, Assistant Director of Science Operations (shanna_deblieck@harvard.edu) prior to obtaining your own state and federal controlled substance licenses. We will provide guidance on applying for a Massachusetts Controlled Substance Researchers Registration and a DEA Controlled Substance Registration- DEA Form 225.