FR 2024-31329

The document in question is a legal notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), featured in the Federal Register. It concerns the revocation of a professional registration crucial for handling controlled substances. This registration belonged to Jeffrey W. Young, Jr., a nurse practitioner from Tennessee. Following the lapse and revocation of his Tennessee nursing licenses, the DEA decided to revoke his Certificate of Registration for controlled substances, effective from January 29, 2025. This revocation follows Young's failure to request a hearing to contest the decision, thereby waiving his right to challenge the allegations.

General Summary

The DEA's notice details the administrative adjudication process concluding with Jeffrey W. Young, Jr.'s inability to engage legally in activities involving controlled substances. The DEA operates under strict regulatory frameworks that require practitioners to maintain authority at the state level to practice and dispense substances governed by controlled substance laws. Young's inability to do so in Tennessee triggered this revocation.

Significant Issues and Concerns

While the document is comprehensive in detailing the procedural aspects of the case, its highly legalistic language might pose comprehension challenges to those unfamiliar with legal or bureaucratic jargon. Terms such as "Certificate of Registration" and references to specific legal codes like "21 U.S.C. 824(a)(3)" might not be readily understandable to all readers.

Additionally, the procedure for how Young might have contested the entitlement and findings through a hearing is not elaborated on, leaving a critical aspect of the legal process somewhat opaque. This lack of clarity might hinder public understanding of how such administrative processes can be addressed or disputed.

Public Impact

On a broad scale, the document reinforces regulatory compliance regarding the dispensing of controlled substances. It underscores the importance of maintaining valid state licenses to ensure practitioners can legally perform their roles. This could prompt other medical professionals to more vigilantly maintain their credentials, ensuring they meet the necessary requirements to practice safely and legally.

For the general public, such enforcement actions contribute to the assurance that those prescribing medications do so under strict regulatory compliance, potentially enhancing public safety and trust in health systems.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For Healthcare Practitioners: This notice serves as a cautionary reminder about the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date licensure. Practitioners could face career-altering consequences if they neglect compliance with licensing bodies, impacting their ability to serve patients and their professional viability.

For Regulatory Bodies and the DEA: The document highlights the DEA’s ongoing role in enforcing compliance with the Controlled Substances Act. It sets a precedent for similar cases, reinforcing the necessity for practitioner diligence in maintaining state-level medical practice eligibility.

For Jeffrey W. Young, Jr.: The personal implications are considerable—without the ability to handle controlled substances, Young's career as a nurse practitioner faces significant encumbrance unless he rectifies his licensure issues and seeks reinstatement.

Overall, actions and notices like these underscore the significant interdependence between healthcare licensure and law enforcement in safeguarding public health under regulatory standards. Such synchronization assures that professionals remain compliant while patients remain secure in their healthcare engagements.