News Releases

DEA Says it Will Extend Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced this week it will extend current telehealth flexibilities around prescribing controlled substances while it works to “find a way forward to give Americans that access with appropriate safeguards.”

In concert with the Department of Health and Human Services, the DEA last week submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a draft rule, “Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Substances.” Full details will be available upon publication in the Federal Register.

During the pandemic, patients were able to get certain prescriptions, including buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, by telemedicine. In February, the DEA proposed extending the pandemic rules for 180 days after the end of the public health emergency and after that limiting telehealth prescriptions for buprenorphine and other controlled medications to a 30-day supply unless the prescriber or referring clinician have evaluated the patient in person.

This week’s announcement comes after the DEA received a record 38,000 comments in response to its February proposal.

“We take those comments seriously and are considering them carefully,” the DEA said in a statement.