A recent proposal by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) would give more physicians access to [123l]lofupane (DaTscan), a diagnostic agent that helps make dopamine transporters in the brain visible and could lead to more accurate diagnoses of Parkinson’s.

In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the DEA proposed that DaTscan be removed from Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

“The DEA finds that the facts and all available and relevant data demonstrate that [123I]ioflupane does not possess abuse or dependence potential,” the text of the NPRM said. “Accordingly, the DEA finds that [123I]ioflupane does not meet the requirements for inclusion in any schedule and should be removed from control under the CSA.”

According to the American College of Radiology (ACR)--which advocated for DaTscan’s removal from the CSA--this will improve access to this “important” agent, improving the overall quality of patient care.

This pdf from 2009 from the FDA provides more information about DaTscan.