Pain Killer Soma Needs Controls, Says DEA

     WASHINGTON (CN) - Because of the threats of abuse and trafficking of the pain killer carisoprodol, sold as "Soma," the Drug Enforcement Administration plans to place controls on its movement, according to a proposed regulation.
     Currently, the drug needs a regular prescription, but, since carisoprodol is being diverted and may be addictive, according to a report by the Food and Drug Administration, the DEA plans to make it a Schedule IV controlled substance.
     Processing or moving a substance classified into Schedule IV under the Controlled Substances Act requires registration with the DEA. The drug also must have security and special labeling. It would be a crime to handle carisoprodol and products containing it, without following the controls.
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EPA Is Not Hearing Objections on Carbofuran

     WASHINGTON (CN) - The Environmental Protection Agency has found that exposure to the pesticide carbofuran resulting from existing legal uses is unsafe, and will not hear objections to a May 15 final rule revoking all pesticide tolerances for carbofuran under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
     The objections and hearing requests were filed June 30, 2009, by the National Corn Growers Association, National Sunflower Association, National Potato Council, and FMC Corporation.
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FinCEN May Allow State and EU Bank Queries

     WASHINGTON (CN) - To help combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Treasury plans to allow state and local law enforcement, and EU member state law enforcement, to make requests for information from U.S. financial institutions.
     Under the same proposed rule, the agency also would be able to request information on its own behalf, to assist investigations or perform trend analysis.
     Since money laundering can consist of varied crimes, before using the program a requestor would have to certify that the matter is significant and that the enforcement agency has been unable to find the information through traditional means.
     The data provided would be for gathering leads, as it is for the Federal Government under the current program, since the information collection does not replace a subpoena or other legal process, according to FinCEN's Nov. 17 fact sheet on the USA PATRIOT Act program.