Virginia House Bill HB921

Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/22
• Refer: 1/12/22

Caption

Controlled substances; prescriber may establish practitioner-patient relationship.

Impact

The bill specifically modifies the stipulations for prescribing controlled substances by defining what constitutes a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship. This amendment is expected to enhance the standards for patient care and ensure practitioners are adequately assessing the medical history and needs of the patient prior to prescribing any controlled substances. Moreover, allowing telemedicine as a means to establish this relationship opens new pathways for care, particularly benefiting those in remote or underserved areas.

Summary

House Bill 921 aims to amend the Code of Virginia to clarify the circumstances under which controlled substances may be prescribed. It places an emphasis on the importance of establishing a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship which must be established before any prescriptions for controlled substances can be issued. Additionally, HB921 permits the use of telemedicine to establish such relationships and to prescribe medications, which is particularly significant in light of recent shifts towards remote healthcare delivery.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, HB921 has drawn some contention regarding its provisions on telemedicine. Critics express concern that while telemedicine can improve access to healthcare, the lack of an in-person examination could lead to improper prescribing practices. They argue that this may inadvertently encourage prescription of controlled substances without adequate patient assessment, raising concerns over the potential for misuse and dependency. As such, the balance between access to care and robust patient safety measures remains a key point of discussion surrounding the bill.