GSAM Urges GCMB to Extend Tele-Prescribing Flexibilities

On April 7th, the Georgia Society of Addiction Medicine (GSAM) sent a letter to the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) urging them to extend flexibilities for prescribing medications for addiction via telehealth. Last December, GCMB voted to rescind tele-prescribing flexibilities without an in-person evaluation on May 1st.

In the letter, GSAM noted the increased access and convenience that tele-prescribing provided to patients and practitioners during and after the pandemic. Further, GSAM cited research indicating that the expansion of addiction treatment by telehealth was conducted safely. Further, addiction treatment through telehealth has been noted for its ability to increase patient retention. Additionally, GSAM cited the unsettled nature of telehealth policy at federal level. Currently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is enabling telehealth flexibilities to continue through the end of 2024. As such, GSAM urged GCMB to align their policy timeline with a permanent DEA position on the issue, allowing for tele-prescribing to continue to avoid impeding access to treatment.

Read the letter here.