The California Department of Justice (DOJ) made important changes to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System, known as CURES. CURES is the database that collects all Schedule II-V controlled substance prescriptions dispensed in California. Prescribers, subject to certain exemptions, are required to consult the patient’s CURES patient activity report or information obtained from the CURES database before the first time a patient is prescribed, ordered or administered a Schedule II-IV controlled substance and at least once every six months thereafter if the prescriber renews the prescription and the substance remains part of the patient’s treatment
The CURES update provides an improved user interface and new system features, including functionality authorized through recent legislation. In preparation for the deployment of these changes, CURES will be unavailable from April 8 at 5 p.m. until April 11 at 8 a.m.
The CURES update also provide expanded functionality through which delegates will be authorized to access data in CURES. For existing delegates to continue their CURES access after April 11, 2022, and new delegates added after April 11, 2022, the delegate’s authorized CURES users must:
- Confirm the delegate’s eligibility
- Enter into a “Delegate Agreement”
- Register the delegate in CURES after April 11, 2022
The criteria for the delegate’s eligibility and the necessary contents of a delegate agreement can be found in the DOJ Memo “New Features and Requirements for Expanded Delegate Access.”
Practices should also be aware that beginning April 11, 2022, the Internet Explorer web browser will no longer be allowed to access the CURES web application because of application and data security concerns. CURES users should transition one of the following web browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari or Mozilla Firefox.
Practices with questions can contact the CURES program at cures@doj.ca.gov or (916) 210-3187.
For more information:
- DOJ Memo: New Optimized Cures Being Released on 4/11/2022
- DOJ Memo: New Features and Requirements for Expanded Delegate Access
- Medical Board of California Frequently Asked Questions: CURES Consultation Requirement
