DEA may allow e-prescribing of controlled substances

Just last week, we took the DEA to task for its apparent resistance to letting physicians prescribe controlled substances electronically. Well, either I misread the situation or they've had a quick turnaround. Last week, the DEA published a timeline in the Federal Register under which it would phase in letting doctors e-prescribe controlled substances. That's quite a turnaround from DEA officials' recent testimony to Congress, in which they stated that they believe e-prescribing could increase abuse of controlled drugs. Among the first steps DEA execs plan to take is to draft a proposal by which this will happen. After that, the next step will be for the DEA to begin accepting comments on the draft, which it expects to continue collecting through September 2008.

To find out more about the proposal:
- read this iHealthBeat piece

Related Articles:
Group says controlled-substance rules block e-prescribing. Report
E-prescribing highlights barriers to data sharing. Editorial
DEA eases painkiller prescription rules. Report
E-prescribing: What's holding it back? Editorial
FL health plans lead e-prescribing effort. Report

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