The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) posted on Nov. 10 a fourth temporary extension of COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances. The current flexibility was set to expire at the end of this year. The DEA has not yet released the details of the extension, and the notice is currently pending regulatory review at the Office of Management and Budget. Previous extensions of this flexibility allowed health care practitioners to continue to establish relationships with patients involving the prescription of controlled substances via telemedicine, even if the practitioner has not had an in-person visit with the patient, for an additional year [refer to Washington Highlights, Nov. 22, 2024].
- Washington Highlights