On December 12, 2011, the DEA published a final rule making carisoprodol (Soma®) a Schedule IV controlled substance with an effective date of January 11, 2012 (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-12/pdf/2011-31542.pdf).
This means that several things must occur:
1. On or before January 11, 2012, every registered/licensed location possessing carisoprodol must take an inventory of the stocks on hand. From then on, carisoprodol must be a part of every controlled substance inventory.
2. Any location possessing carisoprodol that is not currently registered with DEA must apply for a DEA registration prior to January 11, 2012. If they do so, they may continue their activities until DEA acts on the application. Alternatively, those locations not wishing to seek DEA registration must remove all carisoprodol from their possession prior to January 11, 2012.
3. All current prescriptions for carisoprodol must be treated as controlled substance prescriptions on and after January 11, 2012.
4. All new prescriptions received on or after January 11, 2012 are to be treated as Schedule IV controlled substances.
5. Commercial containers of carisoprodol must bear the CIV designation on or after June 11, 2012. Until then, current stock not bearing the CIV designation may be sold and dispensed, but the products are to be handled as you would a CIV controlled substance.