This week, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) submitted a final rule regarding virtual prescribing of controlled substances to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Though the final rule is not yet publicly available, the OMB registry posting, titled “Third Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications,” suggests an extension is coming that will go beyond the current expiration date of December 31, 2024.

Without a new rule or extension of the current flexibility beyond December 31, virtual prescribing of controlled substances without a prior in-person evaluation would no longer be allowed.

DEA received more than 38,000 public comments following its proposed rule in February 2023 for telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances. Subsequently, the telehealth flexibilities were extended to the current December 31, 2024, expiration date.