The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on buprenorphine via telemedicine encounter, a summary, and highlights for medical practitioners.
The proposed rule amends the DEA’s regulations, in concert with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), on the circumstances under which individual practitioners are authorized to prescribe schedule III-V controlled substances which are approved for treating opioid use disorder, either as medication maintenance or treatment for withdrawal management, referred to as maintenance or detoxification treatment via a telemedicine encounter, including an audio-only telemedicine encounter.
Specifically, the proposed rule provides requirements to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) prior to issuance of a prescription, 30-day limitations, in-person requirements for follow-up appointments, and more detailed requirements for record-keeping are expected to minimize the diversion of buprenorphine via telemedicine, including audio-only telemedicine.
For a full summary, click here or see below: