On October 06, 2023, DEA announced in their official website that:
DEA received more than 38,000 comments on its proposed telemedicine rules and recently held two days of public listening sessions related to those rules. We continue to carefully consider the input received and are working to promulgate a final set of telemedicine regulations by the fall of 2024, giving patients and medical practitioners time to plan for, and adapt to, the new rules once issued. Accordingly, DEA, jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has extended current telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2024. The full text of the extension, entitled “Second Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications,” was submitted to the Federal Register jointly with HHS on September 29.

Electronic prescribing of controlled substances is the electronic transmission of a prescription for a controlled substance to a pharmacy. Prescribers are encouraged to write and transmit prescriptions for controlled substances electronically to increase safety and security.

EPCS also creates Identity Proofing responsibilities for EHR vendors, prescribers and pharmacies by requiring two-factor authentication.
Requirements to get started with EPCS:

• Certified EHR
• Identity Proofing
• Two – Factor Authentication

Identity Proofing is required for Providers who can prescribe controlled substances. In order to be able to prescribe controlled substances, the prescriber will have to register with ID. me for Identity proofing and Two-factor authentication.

Benefits of EPCS:

• Improves patient safety
• Better workflow efficiencies
• Improves efficiency of the workflow
• Increases security
• Improves patient satisfaction
• Cost-effective for patient