DEA publishes final rule on expansion of buprenorphine treatment via telemedicine

On Friday, Jan. 17, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) printed the “Enlargement of Buprenorphine Therapy by way of Telemedicine Encounter Ultimate Rule.” Along with increasing telehealth flexibilities, the modifications purpose to stability expanded entry with safeguards towards drug diversion, which might have an effect on practitioners prescribing managed substances for sleep problems.

Buprenorphine Therapy by way of Telemedicine

Key highlights of the ultimate rule embody:

The rule expands telemedicine choices for prescribing schedule III–V managed substances, notably buprenorphine for opioid use dysfunction.
Practitioners can now prescribe an preliminary six-month provide (as a substitute of 30 days) of those drugs following an audio-only telemedicine encounter after reviewing the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) information for the state the place the affected person resides.
Continued prescriptions past six months require both an in-person analysis or continued therapy via different telemedicine varieties approved underneath the Managed Substances Act.
Pharmacists at the moment are required to confirm the id of sufferers earlier than shelling out prescriptions underneath these new rules.

The buprenorphine remaining rule was initially scheduled to enter impact Feb. 18, 2025. Nevertheless, the Trump administration has delayed for 60 days all guidelines that had been not too long ago printed and haven’t but taken impact.

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