Section 1262 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (also known as Omnibus bill), removes the federal requirement for practitioners to submit a Notice of Intent (have a waiver) to prescribe medications, like buprenorphine, for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). With this provision, and effective immediately, SAMHSA will no longer be accepting NOIs (waiver applications).

All practitioners who have a current DEA registration that includes Schedule III authority may now prescribe buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder in their practice if permitted by applicable state law and SAMHSA encourages them to do so. SAMHSA and DEA are actively working on the implementation of a separate provision of the Omnibus related to training requirements for DEA registration that becomes effective in June 2023.   Please continue to check this webpage for further updates and guidance.

Author: Georgia Society of Addiction Medicine

ASAM/GSAM Chapter Engagement Manager