The affected medications include buprenorphine, the most common medication used to treat opioid addiction, and stimulants like Adderall used to treat ADHD. Photo: Peter Bohler for The Washington Post
The DEA is temporarily extending COVID-era telehealth policies, allowing leniency in prescribing controlled substances like Adderall, amid concerns that imposing restrictions could lead to increased opioid overdose deaths.
The agency has not yet decided on future policies, but a draft proposal released in February received significant criticism.
- The DEA's decision to extend telehealth policies aims to maintain access to needed medications while finding ways to ensure appropriate safeguards.
- The draft proposal received 38,000 public comments , with concerns about potential patient access crises and increased overdose deaths.
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Buprenorphine is a critical medication for treating opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms, with lower risks than pain medications.
- Under the new policies, doctors can prescribe buprenorphine after a telemedicine visit.
- An in-person exam would be required within 30 days to continue the medication.
- Addiction medicine groups criticize the in-person requirement for buprenorphine, emphasizing its lack of safety benefits and potential obstruction to treatment.
- The issue highlights the tension between public health and law enforcement approaches to addiction treatment.
- The American Medical Association (AMA) applauds DEA's decision to extend flexibilities in prescribing controlled substances through telehealth patient visits beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.