The Findings That Surprised Me: Three DEA Inspections, One Pharmacy Leader

What really happens during a DEA inspection?In this episode of Drug Diversion Insights, Terri sits down with Brennan Luke, Regulatory and Controlled Substance Pharmacy Manager at ECU Health, to discuss what he learned after building a drug diversion prevention program from the ground up—and leading it through three DEA cyclic inspections.Drawing from firsthand experience, Brennan shares practical lessons on regulatory compliance, controlled substance accountability, and what it takes to build a diversion prevention program that earns the trust of frontline staff while standing up to regulatory scrutiny.In this episode, we discuss:What to expect during a DEA cyclic inspectionThe findings that surprised Brennan the mostLessons learned from building a diversion prevention program from scratchHow to prepare your organization before a DEA visitCommon compliance gaps and documentation challengesWhy successful diversion programs depend on collaboration—not suspicionHow to engage nursing, anesthesia, pharmacy, and leadership as partners in diversion preventionAdvice for organizations looking to strengthen their controlled substance oversightWhether you're a pharmacy leader, diversion specialist, compliance professional, medication safety officer, nurse leader, or healthcare executive, this conversation provides practical insights for creating a sustainable diversion prevention program that protects patients, supports staff, and improves compliance.Strong diversion programs aren't built on fear—they're built on trust, accountability, and continuous improvement.More from Rxpert Solutions