- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a proposed rule that would make permanent the COVID-19 public health emergency policies that expanded access to opioid addiction medications. The rule would specifically make it easier for patients with opioid use disorder to access methadone and buprenorphine and for providers to prescribe the medication via telehealth. The proposal would also eliminate two requirements: 1) that doctors with a special license to prescribe buprenorphine submit a report to SAMHSA each year and 2) that patients must be addicted to opioids for a full year before beginning an opioid treatment program. (Press release here; Articles here, here, and here)
December 14, 2022
Opioid/Substance Use Disorders