ATA ACTION CALLS FOR DEA TO ESTABLISH A WORKGROUP TO CREATE PERMANENT FRAMEWORK FOR REMOTE PRESCRIBING OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
WASHINGTON, D.C., JANUARY 14, 2025 – This morning, ATA Action urged the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to take immediate steps to form a public-private workgroup to establish a permanent framework for the remote prescribing of controlled substances. In a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, copying Assistant Administrator for Diversion Control Tom Prevoznik, ATA Action called for input from outside stakeholders to assist in the creation of this framework, providing the necessary data and feedback to ensure that the policies implemented protect both patients and providers while enhancing access to critical and lifesaving prescriptions.
“We are grateful to DEA for their consistent work on the remote prescribing of controlled
substances, and extension of the current telehealth flexibilities through the end of calendar year 2025. DEA’s diligent work has included important efforts to create the telemedicine special registration proposed rule to establish a permanent framework to ensure continued patient access to mental health, substance use disorder, and other essential telehealth care,” said Kyle Zebley, senior vice president, public policy, the ATA and executive director, ATA Action. “We believe DEA has an opportunity to make lasting improvements in the accessibility of healthcare through telehealth while also maintaining the highest standards for patient safety. It is imperative that we get this right for the millions of patients impacted by these actions.
“A public-private workgroup is something we have asked for in the past and it is clearly time to bring key stakeholders together to create a suitable telemedicine special registration proposed rule. We are eager to work with the good men and women at DEA, as well as the incoming Trump Administration, to help effectively prevent diversion while ensuring appropriate and necessary access to care and look forward to supporting DEA on this important issue,” Zebley added.
Read the ATA Action Letter to Drug Enforcement Administration.
About the ATA
As the only organization completely focused on advancing telehealth, the American Telemedicine Association is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and appropriate care when and where they need it, enabling the system to do more good for more people. The ATA represents a broad and inclusive member network of leading healthcare delivery systems, academic institutions, technology solution providers and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances, working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization, and provide education and resources to help integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models.
About ATA Action
ATA Action recognizes that telehealth and virtual care have the potential to transform the healthcare delivery system by improving patient outcomes, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of care, addressing health disparities, and reducing costs. ATA Action is a registered 501c6 entity and an affiliated trade organization of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
