Nathan Beaver Discusses Senators’ Comments on DEA Listening Sessions for Telemedicine Prescribing

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Nathan Beaver is quoted in the Healthcare IT News article, “DEA suggests 2nd comment period for post-PHE online Rx registration,” offering insight on the recent U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) public listening sessions regarding a special registry for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine.

Beaver said the DEA should listen to the two senators who sent a letter to the DEA reminding the agency of its responsibilities to create a substance registry and incorporate feedback provided by thousands of commenters who argue the rules “are insufficient to meet the healthcare needs of patients.”

“Sens. [Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Thune (R-S.D.)] and their colleagues correctly note that DEA’s Proposed Telemedicine rule does not fulfill DEA’s obligation to create a special registration – for which practitioners would not be subject to the mandatory in-person evaluation requirement of the Ryan Haight Act,” Beaver explained.

“Yesterday’s completed listening session on this topic was a good first step,” he added.