Thomas Ferrante Comments on Proposed Final Buprenorphine Rule

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Thomas (T.J.) Ferrante is quoted in the MedCity News article, “Why Telehealth Advocates Are Calling on the Trump Administration to Withdraw New Telemedicine Rules.”

Ferrante cited the proposed buprenorphine final rule in particular, which would only allow a patient to receive a six-month supply of the medication used to treat opioid use disorder without an in-person visit. He said this rule could impact care for someone who is struggling with a substance use disorder.

“This is a vulnerable population,” Ferrante explained. “Buprenorphine is for substance use or opioid use disorders, and especially with the timeline of six months, they’re still in the early stages of that medication, treatment, management, and care…To all of a sudden require these individuals to have to go somewhere could be very disruptive.”