Health Industry Leaders Applaud DEA for Extending Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities

WASHINGTON – A leading health industry association is applauding the Drug Enforcement Administration for its decision to continue allowing clinicians to use telehealth services in prescribing certain controlled substances to their patients. The DEA announced that it would extend regulatory flexibilities on prescribing via telemedicine through 2024 as it develops permanent regulations.

The Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) had strongly encouraged the DEA to take this step and said it will encourage the agency to make this use of virtual care permanent.

“Extending this flexibility was the right and prudent thing to do for millions of patients,” said HLC president Mary R. Grealy. “For many of those dealing with significant physical and behavior health challenges, as well as those battling substance use disorders, telehealth is a lifeline that enables them to receive essential healthcare when they need it and where they are. It only makes sense that prescribers be able to use these virtual tools to prescribe the critical medications their patients need.”

Ms. Grealy added, “We are confident that the DEA will develop permanent regulations that ensure strong protections against criminal activities while still giving patients and their physicians the ability to prescribe essential medications without facing regulatory barriers.”

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2023
Contact: Kelly Fernandez, (202) 449-3452