APA, other groups call for DEA to permanently waive telemedicine restriction

Seventy-two organizations submitted a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration asking for a permanent waiver of the requirement that patients be evaluated in person before being prescribed controlled substances via telemedicine.

The American Psychiatric Association, the American Telemedicine Association and ATA Action convened the collection of organizations.

According to an APA press release, the DEA is currently developing the Special Registration process for telemedicine use to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Act. The agency waived this requirement during the COVID-19 public health emergency, which allowed clinicians to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth. The organizations noted in their letter that many patients, particularly new patients, will not have access to care after the public health emergency waiver ends.

“It is essential that the DEA and HHS work with Congress to permanently remove the prior in-person requirement and any restrictions on the location of the patient, post pandemic,” Kyle Zebley, vice president of public policy of the American Telemedicine Association and executive director of ATA Action. “We urge policymakers to consider that, during the pandemic, telemedicine effectively increased access to necessary care for patients in their home or other location, without increased diversion related to the waiver. We welcome the opportunity to discuss a proposed framework to ensure Americans maintain access to clinically appropriate care.”