DEA Extends COVID-19 Telehealth Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications for Now

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Wednesday said it will extend its COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities for prescription of controlled medications as the agency works to determine how to move forward in a way that gives Americans access to needed medicine with the appropriate safeguards. An announcement from DEA noted the agency received a record number of comments on its proposed telemedicine rules, which prompted DEA and HHS to submit a draft temporary rule to the Office of Management and Budget requesting an extension. NABH submitted comments on this matter (see CEO Update, April 28, 2023). “Further details about the rule will become public after its full publication in the Federal Register,” the announcement said.