A DEA number, issued by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, is essential for healthcare professionals who prescribe controlled substances. This unique identifier helps track and regulate the distribution of such substances. Calculating a DEA number can be useful for verifying its authenticity or decoding it when necessary. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to calculate a DEA number.

Step 1: Understand the Structure of a DEA Number

A DEA number consists of nine characters: two letters followed by seven digits. The first letter represents the registrant type (e.g., physician, pharmacist, etc.), while the second letter is typically the first letter of the registrant’s last name. The seven digits are a combination of unique identifiers and a checksum.

Step 2: Break Down the Seven Digits

The seven digits can be broken down into three groups:

1. First Digit (D1): A unique identifier assigned to the registrant.

2. Second and Third Digits (D2 & D3): Two unique identifiers

3. Fourth to Seventh Digits (D4-D7): Four unique identifiers followed by a checksum

Step 3: Apply the Calculation Formula

To compute the checksum, follow these steps:

1. Add together all three odd-positioned digits (D1, D3, and D5).

2. Multiply this sum by 3.

3. Add together all three even-positioned digits (D2+D4+D6).

4. Combine both sums from steps 2 and 3.

5. The right-most digit in this sum is your check digit (D7).

Example Calculation:

Consider a hypothetical DEA number `AB123456C`. Here’s how you’d calculate it:

1. Add odd-positioned digits: D1+D3+D5 = 1 + 3 + 5 = 9

2. Multiply the sum by 3: 9 * 3 = 27

3. Add the even-positioned digits: D2+D4+D6 = 2 + 4 + 6 = 12

4. Combine both sums: 27 + 12 = 39

5. The right-most digit in ’39’ is ‘9’, which is the final check digit (D7).

In this case, the DEA number `AB1234569` is valid.

Conclusion:

Calculating a DEA number is crucial for ensuring its validity and preventing unauthorized distribution of controlled substances. By following the steps outlined in this guide, healthcare professionals and organizations can help maintain a safe and well-regulated pharmaceutical environment.