DEA Public Listening Sessions on Telemedicine Regulations
DEA Hosts Public Listening Sessions on Telemedicine Regulations –
MEDIA ADVISORY
The DEA will be hosting listening sessions to receive additional input concerning the practice of telemedicine with regards to controlled substances.
This event will cover:
- The advisability of permitting telemedicine prescribing of certain controlled substances without any in-person medical evaluation at all
- The availability and types of data that would be useful in detecting the diversion of controlled substances via telemedicine that is either already reported or could be reported
- Specific additional safeguards that could be placed around the prescribing of schedule II controlled substances via telemedicine
Space is limited. In-person attendance and/or the ability to present are not guaranteed upon registration. DEA will be processing registrations and you will be notified as to the status of your request.
Beginning on August 7, members of the public wishing to attend in person (space permitting) must register HERE by August 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
Live-Streaming Now!
Current Rulings
The current temporary extension has a deadline of November 11, 2023. The DEA stated that it plans to release “one or more final rules” that build off its initial two proposed rules before this deadline that can be implemented by November 11, 2024; however, it is unclear at this time if the agency will meet this deadline. Any new rules that the DEA promulgates on the remote prescribing of controlled substances are expected to be permanent.
The agency continues to emphasize that they are focused on allowing the practice of telemedicine in a manner that aligns with public health and safety objectives while ensuring effective measures against diversion.
Federal Register – Full Text of Temporary Ruling
DEA Temporarily Extends Telemedicine Flexibilities for the Prescribing of Controlled Substances
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) granted providers the flexibility to prescribe clinically appropriate controlled substance medications without requiring an in-person visit, which was particularly crucial amidst the global shutdown. However, this allowance was contingent upon the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declared by the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary being in effect and was scheduled to be rescinded when it ended on May 11, 2023. With one day to spare on May 10, the DEA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a temporary rule extending the pandemic prescribing flexibility until November 11, 2023.