ASAM Submits Comments Supporting Final Rule on Telemedicine Initiation of Buprenorphine Treatment for OUD

On February 27, ASAM submitted comments to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that underscored ASAM's support for the Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter final rule. Once in effect, the rule will permanently preserve important flexibilities for the initiation of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).

The comment letter also notes positive improvements from the original 2023 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), including expanding the originally proposed initial 30-day prescription limitation to six months. Read the full comment letter here. 

This final rule was originally scheduled to take effect on February 18, 2025. However, in accordance with an executive order issued on January 20 that instituted a regulatory freeze pending review, the DEA has published subsequent notice in the Federal Register that the buprenorphine rule's effective date has been delayed to March 21, 2025.