DEA Finalizes Measures to Ease Process for Providers to Add Mobile Components

In a move to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, particularly in rural areas with limited treatment options, DEA on Monday announced that it has published a final rule that allows registrants who are authorized to dispense methadone to add a mobile component to their existing registration.

The rule eliminates the separation registration for mobile narcotic treatment programs (NTPs) previously required, streamlining registration and making it easier for providers to serve more patients at remote locations.

>> READ the final rule here

“The [Biden-Harris] administration, DOJ, DEA, HHS, among many others, are squarely focused on efforts to improve the use of medication-assisted treatment in order to reduce overdose deaths and help those with opioid addictions recover,” DEA assistant administrator for diversion control Tim McDermott said in a statement. “Today’s action sends a very important message that we support the use of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and are using all the tools at our disposal to make treatment options available to anyone in need of them, anywhere in the country.”

According to recent CDC data, opioids accounted for 67,500 reported overdose deaths—about three-quarters of all overdose deaths—in the 12-month period ending in November 2020. Demand for MAT services, particularly in rural, urban and tribal communities—has outpaced availability, hence DEA’s move to streamline the process for NTPs looking to add a mobile option to their offerings.

The final rule issued Monday is subject to regulatory restrictions that prevent diversion of controlled substances, and it also includes requirements for reporting and record keeping by NTPs who add mobile components.