2017-18547. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection, eComments Requested; Extension Without Change of a Previously Approved Collection Dispensing Records of Individual Practitioners

AGENCY:

Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.

ACTION:

30-day Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register, on June 28, 2017, allowing for a 60 day comment period

DATES:

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 30 days until October 2, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have comments on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact Michael J. Lewis, Diversion Control Division, Drug Enforcement Administration; Mailing Address: 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152; Telephone: [phone] or sent to [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

—Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

—Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

—Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of the information proposed to be collected can be enhanced; and

—Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Overview of This Information Collection

1. Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved collection.

2. Title of the Form/Collection: Dispensing Records of Individual Practitioners.

3. The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: The form number is N/A. The applicable component within the Department of Justice is the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division.

4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract:

Affected public (Primary): Business or other for-profit.

Affected public (Other): Not-for-profit institutions; Federal, State, local, and tribal governments.

Abstract: In accordance with the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), every DEA registrant must make a biennial inventory and maintain, on a current basis, a complete and accurate record of each controlled substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, or otherwise disposed of. 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958. These records must be maintained separately from all other records of the registrant or, alternatively, in the case of non-narcotic controlled substances, be in such a form that required information is readily retrievable from the ordinary business records of the registrant. 21 U.S.C. 827(b)(2). The records maintained by registrants must be kept and be available for at least two years for inspection and copying by officers or employees of the United States as authorized by the Attorney General. 21 U.S.C. 827(b)(3). The DEA may promulgate regulations that specify the information that registrants must maintain in the required records. 21 U.S.C. 827(b)(1).

5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The DEA estimates that 64,751 respondents, with 64,751 responses annually to this collection. The DEA estimates that it takes 30 minutes to complete the form.

6. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the proposed collection: The DEA estimates this collection takes 32,376 hours annually.

If additional information is required please contact: Melody Braswell, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE., Suite 3E.405B, Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: August 29, 2017.

Melody Braswell,

Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.