February 25, 2025
DEA & HHS Delay Implementation of Final Rules
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced a delay in the effective date for the recently issue final rules regarding the telemedicine prescribing of buprenorphine and telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients. Originally scheduled to become effective February 18, the rules will now take effect on March 21, 2025.
This decision aligns with the White House memorandum issued on January 20, which called for “A Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” to allow agencies further review of any fact, law, and policy considerations prior to proposing, issuing, or finalizing any regulatory activities. In particular, the DEA/HHS announcement cites the third paragraph of the Freeze Memo, which ordered agencies to consider postponing the effective dates for any recently published rules that have yet to take effect.
The DEA and HHS have also confirmed that the waiver provisions established in the third extension of telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances will remain in effect through December 31, 2025, ensuring that in-person visit requirements continue to be waived for the remainder of 2025.
Click Here to Read More
Click Here to Read Buprenorphine Rule
Click Here to Read Veterans Affair Rule
Click Here to Read Telemedicine Special Registration Rule