This bill expands access to methadone treatment for opioid addiction by allowing qualified addiction medicine specialists and addiction psychiatrists to prescribe methadone through regular pharmacies, rather than only through specialized opioid treatment programs. Currently, methadone dispensing is tightly restricted to registered treatment facilities, but this legislation would allow licensed pharmacies to dispense methadone prescribed by certified addiction medicine doctors or psychiatrists, with patients able to receive treatment either in-person or through telemedicine. States can opt out of this program by requesting that the Attorney General stop registering prescribers in their jurisdiction. The bill requires the Drug Enforcement Administration to report annually to Congress on the number of registered prescribers in each state, prescription revocations, and pharmacy participation. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.
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