Ordering Guidelines for Research Chemicals and Controlled Substances

To obtain research chemicals and controlled substances from the NIDA Drug Supply Program, all research investigators must prepare and submit a request package.  Everything can be sent to the Program by email to NDSP@rti.org.

Please submit your request 6-8 weeks in advance of planned experiments or prior to depletion of your current supply for ongoing experiments.

A request package should include the following items:

1. A cover letter including:
   1. Name, phone number and e-mail address of Research Investigator (and consignee, if applicable),
   2. Provide a current and complete address that would allow shipment by a suitable carrier such as Federal Express(FedEx) (i.e. street address, building name or number, room number, city and state) - This address should coincide with the address on the DEA order form.
   3. If requestor’s address is outside the US, please provide all necessary documentation to verify whether particular compound requested is permitted in his/her country for importation.
   4. NIH grant number of project and name and contact information of project’s NIH Program Officer if the project is funded by NIH.  If the project is funded by another source, no information regarding the Program Officer and grant number is required.
   5. Name and quantity of each compound or substance being requested.  Please include name the salt form if necessary and the stereochemical notations for compounds when necessary.
      1. If multiple studies/tasks are planned, you may combine projected needs into a single order rather than placing several separate requests in a short time interval.   The request is generally limited to no more than five items per order to avoid delay.
      2. For radiolabeled compounds, include units of total radioactivity.
      3. Avoid drug abbreviation
   6. Statement of commitment that NIDA will be acknowledged in research publications using the NIDA Drug Supply Program.
2. The Research Investigator’s curriculum vitae (CV).
3. A detailed research protocol clearly indicating:
   1. The specific aims and goals of proposed study (such as a study abstract),
   2. The number of experiments and experimental subjects,
   3. The doses or concentrations of compounds used in experiment,
   4. Calculate the required amount of drugs or compounds for your project and justify the quantities.  Inclusion of calculations is appreciated.
      1. If the request is for multiple projects, please define quantities needed for each project.
4. A copy of current DEA registration, Form DEA-223 for a controlled substance.
   1. It is the Research Investigator's responsibility to keep his/her registration current and verify the drug code for the requested drug.
   2. If the request is approved, the program will contract the requestor for a Form DEA-222.
      1. A Form DEA-222 is not necessary for drugs in Schedules III-V, but a valid registration for the appropriate schedule is required.
      2. Under the third column of Form DEA-222 (Size of Package), list quantities as bulk weight.  Radiolabeled compounds must be listed by weight and NOT units of activity.
5. FedEx number for shipping.
   1. International requests for controlled compounds should provide their United Parcel Service (UPS) Supply Chain Solutions account number to bill shipping charges.
6. A copy of a your Nuclear Regulatory Commission license.  For more information, please visit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensing website.
7. For in vivo studies, include a copy of the document demonstrating that the research protocol is approved by the Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC).  For more information, please visit the Animal Care & Use Committee Animal Study website.

For Foreign Investigators, please submit an Import Permit (preferably in English) issued by an appropriate agency of your government if the request is for an internationally controlled drug substance. The name of the supplier on the import permit must be listed as follows:

Research Triangle Institute
Kenneth S. Rehder Ph.D.
Hermann Building, East Institute Drive
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA

• The import permit should be accompanied by a signed statement from the investigator to the effect that the drug will be used solely for the purpose of research and will not be re-exported.
• The import permit must contain a clear address and individual name to which the requested drug is to be delivered (not a post office box number).
• Shipment should be indicated on the import permit as Air Freight to this individual. Specify the appropriate port for customs clearance purposes and provide the name and address of the Customs Clearance Agent, if one is used.
• Please obtain the longest possible expiration date on import permits.
• Foreign investigators should also be aware that compounds are shipped with a listed value (for insurance purposes). Since this can cause problems with customs officials, investigators should determine in advance what steps should be taken to avoid these complications. Often an official statement that the compounds are for research only and have no commercial value is sufficient.

Helpful Notes:

NOTE 1: ETORPHINE AND DIPRENORPHINE – Request for either of these two compounds should be made on separate order from when ordering additional compounds at the same time.  Etorphine hydrochloride and diprenorphine (hydrochloride or free base) are Schedule II drugs.  However, etorphine free base is a Schedule I drug.  Therefore, etorphine free base will require a Form DEA-222.

NOTE 2: CARFENTANIL, ETORPHINE AND DIPRENORPHINE – The DEA registration of a research investigator requesting these compounds must show the proper registration for such compounds.

All requests/questions should be addressed to:
Mary MacDonald or NDSP Mailbox.