Pharmacists are also required to verify the identity of patients when dispensing buprenorphine. However, patients must complete an in-person visit for any refills beyond the initial prescription.
However, providers prescribing Schedule II medications may be required to be in the same state as the patient and could be limited to issuing no more than half of their prescriptions via telemedicine. This registration comes with specific criteria and safeguards to ensure safe prescribing practices.
Once a VA patient has had an in-person visit with any VA provider, other VA practitioners can continue prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine without needing additional registration. Once a VA patient has had an in-person visit with a VA provider, other VA practitioners can continue treating the patient via telemedicine, ensuring uninterrupted care.
Additionally, telemedicine platforms that connect patients with prescribers must now register with the DEA. Special registrants will also need to check a national Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) after three years. Until then, they must review PDMPs in the patient’s state, their own state, and any state with a sharing agreement.
“DEA’s goal is to provide telehealth access for needed medications while ensuring patient safety and preventing the diversion of medications into the illicit drug market,” DEA Administrator Anne Milgram stated. “We understand the difficulties some patients have accessing medical providers in-person, and we want to ease this burden while also providing safeguards to keep patients safe.”
The announcement garnered mixed reactions from telehealth advocacy groups and health care organizations.
“We are pleased to see the DEA propose a special registration, as required by statute, to allow comprehensive medical care through telemedicine, including Schedule II medications,” the Alliance stated.
However, the organization criticized mandates on how much patient care can be delivered via telemedicine and restrictions on geographic availability, arguing that such limitations undermine telehealth’s role in improving access to care for patients with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and other critical health needs.
“The Alliance looks forward to working with the Trump Administration and Congress to ensure continued access to comprehensive medical care through telehealth, including when a controlled substance is required,” it said. “This work is necessary to fully execute on the goals of President Trump’s Executive Order on Saving Lives Through Increased Support For Mental- and Behavioral-Health Needs, which included a national call to action to increase access to telehealth.”
However, the AHA highlighted concerns about the burden of requiring providers to register in every state where they treat patients and the necessity to review nationwide prescription drug monitoring programs after three years.
The AHA urged the DEA to consider reducing administrative hurdles to ensure health care providers can efficiently deliver care to patients across state lines.
While the DEA emphasizes that these rules are designed to maintain patient access to necessary medications while curbing misuse, critics argue that the additional layers of regulation may hinder timely access to care for some patients.
The public has until March 15 to submit comments on the proposed special registration rule.
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