Controlled substances: CURES database.

Existing law classifies certain controlled substances into Schedules I to V, inclusive. Existing law requires the Department of Justice to maintain the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) database for the electronic monitoring of the prescribing and dispensing of Schedule II, Schedule III, and Schedule IV controlled substances by a health care practitioner authorized to prescribe, order, administer, furnish, or dispense a Schedule II, Schedule III, or Schedule IV controlled substance. Existing law requires a dispensing pharmacy, clinic, or other dispenser to report specified information to the department for inclusion in the database and requires a health care practitioner to consult the CURES database to review a patient's controlled substance history before prescribing Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substances to the patient for the first time and at least once every 4 months thereafter if the controlled substance remains part of the treatment plan, except as specified. This bill, as of April 1, 2023, would transfer the responsibility for administration of the CURES database from the Department of Justice to the California State Board of Pharmacy.