NASEMSO Submits Comments to Proposed DEA Rules

Nearly 3 years after the ‘‘Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017’’ was signed into law, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published proposed rules to implement the federal law. The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act was supported by numerous EMS organizations, with the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) leading the effort. The intent (and result) was to ensure EMS clinicians could administer controlled substances outside the physical presence of a medical director pursuant to a valid standing or verbal order. This amendment to the Controlled Substances Act also created a new registration category for EMS agencies that handle controlled substances. In addition, it established standards for registering EMS agencies and new requirements for delivery, storage, and recordkeeping related to their handling of controlled substances. The DEA published the proposed rules to implement the Act on October 5, 2020, at DEA Proposed Rules. NASEMSO submitted comments to the proposed rules within the 60-day period provided. Those comments are available at NASEMSO Comments.