DEA, SAMHSA Release Temporary Rule Extending Telemedicine Flexibilities

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)have issued a temporary rule that extends telemedicine flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The temporary rule will go into effect tomorrow, May 11, when the COVID-19 PHE expires, and extends the full set of telemedicine flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 PHE for six months (through November 11). Additional flexibilities will extend to established patients until November 11, 2024.“Access to evidence-based treatment is a pillar of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the Health and Human Services (HHS) assistant secretary for mental health and substance use and the leader of SAMHSA, in apress release issued by SAMHSA on Tuesday. “We strongly support policies that promote access to effective and safe treatment for opioid use disorder, including through telemedicine platforms, and ensuring continued access to necessary controlled medications past the COVID-PHE.”This development is the latest in a story that began back in February, when the DEA announced two proposed rules (Docket No. DEA –407 andDocket No. DEA –948) for the prescribing of controlled medications via telemedicine. There was a 30-day public comment period for the proposed rules, which ended on March 31.APAfiled two letters with the DEA in response to the proposed rules during this time, recommending that t...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Anne Milgram APA COVID-19 PHE DEA HHS Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon opioids public health emergency samhsa telemedicine temporary rules Source Type: research