DEA Proposed Telehealth Prescribing Rule: Potential Scope of Impact

If the DEA or Congress fail to enact an operationally feasible regulation for controlled substance prescribing via telehealth, thousands of patients risk losing access to vital, clinically appropriate medications. This could disrupt the care of patients dependent on remotely prescribed medications from a provider with whom they don’t have an in-person relationship (e.g. e-prescribed refills by a covering provider or telemedicine visits). These medications span a number of clinically important use cases including ADHD, seizures, palliative care, and pain management. With the enhanced national focus on new DEA rules, we have already had pharmacies refuse to provide prescriptions if we cannot provide evidence of an in-person visit with the prescriber.

In this fact sheet, Alliance for Connected Care members highlight the critical need for flexible, team-based approaches in prescribing controlled substances, especially when unexpected provider absences arise.