No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section revises the definition of valid prescription for Internet-dispensed controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act to require, for the prescribing practitioner, at least one in-person medical evaluation or—for Schedule III, IV, or V substances approved by the FDA for substance use disorder treatment—one telehealth evaluation of the patient (previously, at least one in-person medical evaluation). (As background: These requirements implement the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008, which generally prohibits online dispensing of prescription controlled substances without a valid prescription issued after an in-person exam.) It also defines telehealth evaluation as a remote medical evaluation, using two-way real-time interactive audio-only or audio-video telecommunications compliant with federal and state laws and Medicare telehealth standards, by a practitioner (other than a pharmacist) located away from the patient.