DEA publishes final rule on expansion of buprenorphine treatment via telemedicine

On Friday, Jan. 17, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published the “Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter Final Rule.” In addition to expanding telehealth flexibilities, the changes aim to balance expanded access with safeguards against drug diversion, which could affect practitioners prescribing controlled substances for sleep disorders.

Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine

Key highlights of the final rule include:

• The rule expands telemedicine options for prescribing schedule III–V controlled substances, particularly buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
• Practitioners can now prescribe an initial six-month supply (instead of 30 days) of these medications following an audio-only telemedicine encounter after reviewing the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data for the state where the patient resides.
• Continued prescriptions beyond six months require either an in-person evaluation or continued treatment through other telemedicine forms authorized under the Controlled Substances Act.
• Pharmacists are now required to verify the identity of patients before dispensing prescriptions under these new regulations.

The buprenorphine final rule was originally scheduled to go into effect Feb. 18, 2025. However, the Trump administration has delayed for 60 days all rules that were recently published and have not yet taken effect.

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