Which category is also included as midlevel practitioners with the letter M preceding their DEA?

The correct answer is that Physician Assistants are categorized as midlevel practitioners with the letter M preceding their DEA number. In the context of pharmacy law and regulations, midlevel practitioners are healthcare professionals who are authorized to prescribe medications but may not be fully licensed physicians. This group typically includes those such as Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Physicians Assistants.

Physician Assistants (PAs) specifically have extensive medical training that allows them to perform many of the same tasks as physicians, including prescribing medication. Due to this authority, the DEA assigns them a unique identification number that begins with the letter M, which distinguishes them from fully licensed medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine, who have DEA numbers starting with the letters A or B.

In contrast, other options like psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists do not typically hold the authority to prescribe medications under federal law, and therefore they do not have DEA numbers starting with M. Understanding these distinctions is critical for compliance with pharmacy laws and regulations, especially in a pharmacy setting where various practitioners interact with controlled substances.