[co-author: Stephanie Kozol]

Recently, 45 state attorneys general sent a joint letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, requesting the permanent extension of nationwide “telemedicine” prescriptions for opioid treatment buprenorphine made possible under a soon-to-expire 2020 pandemic rule. Sent on the National Association of Attorneys General’s letterhead, the letter signals many of the AGs’ willingness to continue working together despite recent controversies.

With opioid deaths at an all-time high, telehealth provides greater access to lifesaving drugs like buprenorphine for those battling opioid addiction. According to the letter, the expiration of the regulatory rule could negatively affect approximately 2.5 million Americans by limiting access to the drug. “Enabling creative, effective strategies, such as telemedicine, is critical to reducing the number of overdose deaths in our country, particularly in underserved areas, and ending the overdose crisis.”

Why This Matters

The fight against the opioid crisis affects all 50 states and territories, so having state AG-supported permanent telemedicine options will only help to minimize the devastating impacts of opioid addiction through greater health care access nationwide. This is part of the overall focus of state AGs to protect every American’s access to adequate health care. The industry should remain focused on avoiding policies that create potential exposure to the states in this regard.