Search Results for keywords:"Opioid Use Disorder"

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have finalized a rule expanding the ability for practitioners to prescribe certain controlled substances for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment through telemedicine, including audio-only calls. Under these new rules, practitioners can prescribe a six-month supply of these medications after reviewing the patient's prescription drug monitoring program data, with the possibility of extending prescriptions through telemedicine or after a face-to-face evaluation. Additional safeguards include identity verification by pharmacists before filling prescriptions to prevent misuse. The rule aims to continue the telemedicine flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing the opioid crisis and concerns about substance misuse.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have decided to delay the start date for two rules about using telemedicine to prescribe certain medications to December 31, 2025. These rules include the "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter," which allows practitioners to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder, and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients," which permits Veterans Affairs practitioners to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine under specific conditions. The delay grants additional time to address any questions or issues and follows public feedback, with some comments favoring an immediate start and others requesting a postponement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking public comments on their study titled “Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder,” which is under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments for opioid use disorders, which affect about 2.4 million adults in the U.S. The CDC has extended the recruitment deadline due to lower than expected patient enrollment and requires OMB approval to continue data collection. The public can submit comments or suggestions concerning the necessity, methodology, and cost of the proposed information collection within 30 days of the notice's publication.