It’s been a difficult few months for telemedicine. The rapid entry of pharmaceutical manufacturers, along with gyms, supplement retailers, and anyone else looking to profit from prescriptions, is creating havoc for physician practices trying to add essential services for their patients.
A leak from the DEA reveals they are considering a controlled-substance rule, which is likely necessary. The rule would require an in-person visit before prescribing Class II substances. The last time they attempted this, they received 30,000 public comments. This development coincides with the expiration of COVID-era dispensations on telehealth prescriptions.
Pfizer and Eli Lilly were the first to launch direct-to-consumer prescriptions through telehealth services, but GlaxoSmithKline, Amgen, Merck, and Roche are all planning their own. All of these services offer discounts for using their platforms. We can’t think of a better way to disrupt continuity of care—congratulations.
And last, an article discusses the holistic model (continuous care with a primary care provider) versus the transactional model in telemedicine. Telemedicine is here to stay, and patients want it for certain types of services or interactions. If physicians and their associations don’t take the lead in guiding the process, we may end up with widespread self-management—and the next closest thing to self-prescription.
Proposed DEA Rule Would Tighten Telehealth Prescriptions, According to Leak - Benefits Pro
How to Stay Ahead of Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine - Telehealth
The Interaction Model vs. the Holistic Model in Telehealth - Medical Economics
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