In January 2025, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services published new rules about expanding telemedicine practices. These rules were supposed to take effect on February 18, 2025, but have been delayed to March 21, 2025. This delay aligns with a Presidential order for a "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review," allowing more time for feedback on the rules. The rules allow certain medical professionals to prescribe medications via telemedicine, even without an initial in-person visit, under specific conditions. Public comments about this delay are encouraged, focusing on potential policy, legal, and factual issues.
Simple Explanation
The people in charge of medicine rules decided to allow doctors to give some medicine to patients over the computer, without meeting them first. They were going to start this in February, but they're waiting until March so everyone can think about it and share their thoughts.