DEA allows e-prescriptions for controlled drugs

In a step which could make e-prescribing far more workable than it had been before, the DEA has released proposed regulations which would remove federal rules forbidding e-prescribing for controlled substances. The new rules would allow physicians to e-prescribe some painkillers, antidepressants and asthma drugs, which add up to about 10 percent of all scripts written in the U.S. The rules, which have been submitted to the Justice Department, won't become final until both Justice and the Office of Management and Budget review them. 

The DEA has been under pressure to make some changes since 19 senators sent a letter to the Justice Department urging them to speed up the process of amending the rules. Still, despite this progress, the DEA hasn't attached any particular date to when the rules will be finalized. So it still could be a long time before anything actually changes.

To learn more about the DEA's plans:
- read this Modern Healthcare  article [1] (reg. req.)

Related Articles:
DEA eases painkiller prescription rules. FierceHealthcare [2]
DEA may allow e-prescribing of controlled substances. Report [3]
Group says controlled-substance rules block e-prescribing. Report [4]
E-prescribing highlights barriers to data sharing. Editorial [5]