The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has finally announced the creation of a special registration process for prescribers wishing to provide controlled substances via telemedicine, fulfilling a mandate that had been largely ignored since Congress first issued it in 2008. However, this new proposal is still subject to potential rejection by the incoming Trump administration.
The new special registration system comes with several restrictions that have already sparked pushback from various stakeholders. For example, providers looking to prescribe Schedule II medications like Ritalin and Adderall would need to be physically located in the same state as their patients. Additionally, they would be required to issue at least 50% of their prescriptions after in-person appointments, which could pose challenges for telehealth-focused providers.
The Alliance for Connected Care, a trade organization representing telehealth providers, expressed concerns about the proposed rulemaking, particularly regarding the mandated portion of patient care that can be offered through telemedicine and the restriction on the geography in which telemedicine can be provided.
The DEA’s new regulations, issued near the end of President Biden’s term, mark the latest development in a long-standing effort to regulate online pharmacies dating back to 2008. Emergency rules put in place at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic had allowed for increased flexibility in telehealth prescribing of controlled substances, but subsequent efforts to establish new regulations have faced resistance.
One significant aspect of the new rules pertains to buprenorphine, a Schedule III medication commonly used to treat opioid addiction. Providers will now be able to continue providing six months’ worth of buprenorphine without requiring an in-person visit. Patients can then renew their prescriptions either through an in-person visit or, if the broader telehealth proposal is finalized, remotely through a specially registered prescriber.
However, challenges remain, particularly for patients seeking buprenorphine, as many pharmacies do not stock the medication. The DEA’s rules also draw distinctions between buprenorphine and other controlled substances, reflecting a growing understanding of the medication’s low likelihood of causing overdose.
The DEA’s proposed regulations have faced criticism from stakeholders, with concerns about the burden of nationwide prescription drug monitoring program checks and the potential impact on patients who rely on telemedicine for their prescriptions. The future of the DEA and the finalization of these rules remain uncertain, with potential implications for patients who depend on telehealth services for their medication needs. Financial supporters play a crucial role in helping media organizations sustain their operations and produce quality journalism. However, it is important to note that our financial supporters are not involved in any decisions about our journalism. This separation ensures that our editorial independence and integrity remain intact.
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