DEA proposes permanent telemedicine rules

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced proposed permanent rules that are aimed at preventing online overprescribing of controlled substances by requiring in-person visits with physicians for some medications.

The DEA’s proposed rules, which were developed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and close coordination with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, would require at least one in-person visit for some controlled substances, including stimulants and opioids used to treat opioid use disorder. Schedule II medications or narcotics would require an in-person prescription.

Under the proposed rules, Schedule III or higher medications could be prescribed for 30 days via a telemedicine consultation but would require an in-person visit with a physician for a refill. However, an in-person consultation is not required for a patient who has been referred to a physician as long as the referring physician had previously conducted an in-person medical examination of the patient.

The period for public comments on the proposed rules ends on March 31.

Source: Fierce Healthcare