Our state Medical Association issued this statement today in a newletter:
New DEA Rule Allows Electronic Prescription of Controlled Substances
The Drug Enforcement Administration has revised its regulations concerning the prescription of controlled substances to allow health care providers to prescribe them electronically and pharmacies to receive, dispense and archive these electronic prescriptions. The DEA has indicated that this regulation is an addition to, not a replacement of, existing rules. The DEA's Office of Diversion Control says that "the regulations provide pharmacies, hospitals, and practitioners with the ability to use modern technology for controlled substance prescriptions while maintaining the closed system of controls on controlled substance dispensing." The regulation is also expected to cut down on prescription forgery and prescription errors.
This rule went into effect June 1, 2010, but its classification as a major rule requires Congressional review. If after reviewing the rule, Congress changes the effective date or terminates the rule, the DEA will publish a document in the Federal Register reflecting any Congressional action on the rule. For a link to the rule, background information and Q&A for health care providers, visit
www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ecomm/e_rx/index.html .
Perhaps we need only await the approval of Congress? <sigh>
