Doctors can continue prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through the end of 2025, under a third temporary extension of COVID-19 flexibilities.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended an exception that granted telemedicine flexibility to prescription regulations in January 2020 to prevent lapses in care during the pandemic.
The exception allows practitioners to prescribe schedule II-V controlled medications — including stimulants used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcotics for treatment of opioid use disorder — via telehealth appointments.
The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 dictates that a health care provider may prescribe controlled medications only after conducting an in-person evaluation of the patient, with limited exceptions.
Last year, the DEA hosted two listening sessions on a proposed set of telemedicine standards and safeguards and received more than 38,000 comments. The DEA and HHS also granted a second temporary extension of prescribing flexibilities last year that was set to expire on Dec. 31.
“We continue to carefully consider the input received and are working to promulgate a final set of telemedicine regulations,” the DEA said in a Nov. 15 announcement. “However, with the end of 2024 quickly approaching, DEA, jointly with HHS, has extended current telemedicine flexibilities through Dec. 31, 2025.”
The AAP expressed support for telehealth flexibility in a 2023 letter from Immediate Past President Sandy L. Chung, M.D., FAAP.
“Telehealth has proven to be particularly important for children and youth with special health care needs who experience significant barriers to receiving necessary care,” Dr. Chung wrote. “Additionally, mental and behavioral health services are especially amenable to remote care and can also be provided as an extension of a child’s primary care team.”
