DEA Weighed Alternatives To Telehealth Prescribing Proposal, Sidestepped Special Registration

Before drawing fire last month by proposing to tighten up on telehealth prescribing following the COVID-19 pandemic by reinstating some in-person visit requirements, the Drug Enforcement Administration says it weighed three more-restrictive alternatives: a freestanding special registration rule for telemedicine; and more restrictive iterations that would have included geographic and originating site restrictions. Ultimately, DEA chose to propose a rule on Feb. 24 allowing telehealth prescribing of a 30-day supply of schedule III-V non-narcotic controlled substances and buprenorphine with an...