Telehealth coalition urges DEA to finalize remote prescribing rules
VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES — A coalition led by the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) is pressing the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to finalize rules allowing remote prescribing of controlled substances before year’s end.
Failure to act could disrupt critical mental healthcare for millions, particularly in underserved areas, stakeholders warn.
Maintaining mental healthcare access
In the July 22 letter to the newly appointed Head of DEA, Terry Cole, the coalition warned that the lack of clear rules would leave millions of Americans without treatment, including those in Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Statistics show that telehealth has significantly improved the lives of 169 million individuals in underserved areas.
“Telehealth has been crucial in providing a wide range of important health services for Americans, but even more so for those Americans who live in remote areas and locations with provider shortages,” the stakeholders stated in the letter.
The coalition pointed out how excessively restrictive policies would undo some of the positive developments seen between the COVID-19 pandemic and telehealth prescribing flexibilities, allowing people increased access to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment options.
Kyle Zebley, ATA Action’s Executive Director, stressed that the DEA must balance patient safety with continued care access, calling for immediate stakeholder collaboration to refine proposed registration requirements.
Stakeholders seek DEA collaboration to avoid regulatory pitfalls
The ATA-led group is pushing for direct engagement with the DEA to prevent unintended consequences from poorly designed telehealth prescribing rules.
Past regulatory attempts, they argue, created excessive burdens for providers, such as impractical compliance demands and arbitrary restrictions on certain practitioners.
In a February 14 comment letter, the ATA highlighted nine key concerns, including overlooked needs of psychiatrists, pain specialists, and primary care doctors who integrate mental health services.
The coalition now seeks a meeting with DEA leadership to finalize a workable framework before temporary COVID-19 flexibilities expire.
Zebley emphasized that the prevention of drug diversion is a critical aspect. Still, the restrictive actions enclosed in the current proposal may negatively affect patients who need to use the drug on a regular basis.
“We urge Administrator Cole to take immediate action to establish a permanent framework for the remote prescribing of controlled substances that protects both patients and providers while enhancing access to critical and lifesaving prescriptions,” he stated, urging Administrator Cole to act swiftly.
