The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) record keeping requirements for buprenorphine treatment go beyond the Schedule III record keeping requirements. Under the Persons Required to Keep Records and File Reports, 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) PART 1304.03, practitioners must keep records and inventories of all controlled substances dispensed, including approved buprenorphine products.

In some cases, patients just starting on buprenorphine may be required to pick up their medication at the pharmacy and return to the office of the prescribing practitioner for monitoring while taking their first dose. While it is acceptable for patients to return to the practitioners office with their filled prescription, patients must take their prescriptions with them as practitioners cannot store or dispense controlled substances filled at pharmacies.