📅 2026 Update: Changes in Drug Prescribing and Treatment

Since the original article on Fen-Phen, there have been significant updates in U.S. drug laws and practices. Changes focus on telemedicine and the treatment of substance use disorders. The information from the earlier article continues further down the page.

🩺 📲 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Controlled Substances

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have extended telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances until December 31, 2026. DEA-registered practitioners can prescribe Schedule II-V medications via telehealth without needing an in-person visit first.

💊 📝 Buprenorphine Telemedicine Prescribing

On January 17, 2025, a final rule was issued allowing the permanent use of telemedicine for prescribing buprenorphine. This medication is essential for treating opioid use disorder. This change ensures ongoing access to treatment via telehealth.

⚖️ 📅 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

New rules effective November 22, 2024, strengthen the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). These rules aim to ensure that mental health and substance use disorder benefits are treated equally to medical and surgical benefits. This means insurance plans cannot enforce stricter limits on mental health coverage.

📞 🆓 Access to Free Resources

Individuals seeking help can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This helpline provides information and treatment referrals for mental health and substance use disorders, making resources more accessible.

📌 Key Updates

  • 📅 Telemedicine flexibilities for controlled substances extended to December 31, 2026.
  • 💊 Permanent telemedicine prescribing for buprenorphine initiated January 17, 2025.
  • ⚖️ Stronger rules for mental health and substance use disorder benefits from November 2024.
  • 📞 Access to free resources through SAMHSA for treatment referrals.

💡 Tips for Managing Prescription and Treatment Options

Review the details of your situation with your attorney.

🩺 🎥 Understand Telemedicine Options

Patients can now get prescriptions for controlled substances through telehealth. This requires a video consultation with a DEA-registered practitioner to evaluate their medical history and current condition.

💵 💳 Check Costs

Costs for telehealth consultations vary widely by provider. It's recommended to inquire about pricing directly to understand what expenses may be associated with prescriptions for controlled substances or buprenorphine treatment.

📋 🖊️ Gather Necessary Information

Before a telehealth appointment, patients should gather their medical history and any current medications. This information helps the practitioner assess eligibility for prescriptions effectively.

🆓 📞 Utilize Free Resources

The SAMHSA national helpline can guide individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders. This can be a critical first step for those who need assistance.

📅 ⏳ Be Mindful of Deadlines

Telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances are effective until December 31, 2026. Patients should act before this deadline to utilize telehealth services for their prescription needs.

✅ 🧠 Know Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for telehealth prescriptions requires a video consultation with a registered practitioner. Patients should ensure they meet these conditions before scheduling an appointment.

🏆 Services Ranked by User Reviews (2026)

This section features telehealth services and platforms relevant to prescription medications and mental health treatment. The order of services follows Trustpilot data checked in October 2026, and scores can change. Ratings reflect user experiences, but unhappy customers often leave more feedback, which can skew perceptions.

🥇 1. Direct Meds

Direct Meds holds a Trustpilot score of 4.6. It is known for being a GLP-1 telehealth provider, offering compounded medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. However, it has limited insurance acceptance and potential medication side effects, which users should consider.

🥈 2. LifeStance Health

LifeStance Health has a Trustpilot score of 4.0. This service specializes in mental health, offering therapy and psychiatry through telehealth. However, its services may suffer from inconsistent quality and issues with appointment availability, affecting user experience.

🥉 3. Hims & Hers Health

Hims & Hers Health averages a Trustpilot score of 3.0. This platform provides online healthcare services and prescription medications. Users have reported customer service issues and concerns about the effectiveness of some products.

🥉 4. Talkiatry

Talkiatry has a Trustpilot score of 2.4. It offers online psychiatry services and medication management with flexible scheduling. However, it has limited insurance coverage and variable clinician quality, which may impact patient satisfaction.

🆓 Free Government Resources

The U.S. Department of Labor provides resources for individuals navigating mental health and addiction treatment under the MHPAEA. Patients can contact the Employee Benefits Security Administration for assistance related to their coverage.

🔎 Comparison Factors

  • 🏥 Services offered for mental health and substance use treatment.
  • 💵 Pricing structures and insurance acceptance.
  • 📞 Availability of customer support and responsiveness.
  • 🌐 Telehealth options and ease of use.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🤔 What are telemedicine flexibilities for prescriptions?

Telemedicine flexibilities allow DEA-registered practitioners to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth without requiring an in-person visit.

📅 When do the new mental health parity rules go into effect?

The new rules for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act became effective on November 22, 2024, and have staggered applicability dates for health coverage.

📞 How can I find free help for substance use issues?

Individuals can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for information and treatment referrals.

💳 Are there costs associated with telehealth consultations?

Costs for telehealth consultations can vary by provider. It's advisable to check with each provider to understand their pricing and any potential insurance coverage.

🎥 Can I get prescriptions without an in-person visit?

Yes, under current regulations, patients can receive prescriptions for controlled substances through telehealth after a video consultation with a DEA-registered practitioner.

📋 What should I prepare for a telehealth appointment?

Patients should gather their medical history, current medications, and any relevant health information to share during the video consultation for effective evaluation.

⚖️ Recent Cases Related to Drug Regulations

Recent court rulings regarding drug regulations continue to shape how prescriptions and treatment are managed. These rulings connect to the discussions on telemedicine and controlled substances.

Explore more rulings on the news page for the latest updates on this topic.

End of October 2026 Update






What is Fen-Phen?



 



 

Fen-Phen


Fen-Phen is a drug combination that consists of fenfluramine and pherntermine and was used to treat obesity. It has since been withdrawn from the market. At first, the drug was found to be useful against obesity and hailed as a “diet miracle”, although patients were found to relapse after stopping treatment. Eventually the drug was found largely ineffective at helping weight loss, only improving the mood of the patient and increasing dependency on a mood altering medication.



 



 



How does Fen-Phen work?



 



 



Fenfluramine releases more serotonin into the body, tricking the body into feeling full. The downside is that the increase in serotonin has cause psychotic episodes and other undesirable mental disorders. Adding pherntermine to the fenfluramine was thought to counteract the harmful psychological effects of serotonin imbalance and this drug combination was done “off label” or unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration. Fen-Phen was intended to affect the serotonin receptor that made the patient feel full, but it also stimulated another receptor that led to problems with the heart. This is known as neurotoxcity and was unaccounted for in studies about the affect Fen-Phen has on the body.



 



 



What are the risks associated with taking Fen-Phen?



 



 



There were early indications that fenfluramine caused pulmonary hypertension or the thickening of the lungs that in turn affects proper breathing. Nonetheless, a variation of the drug, brand named Redux was approved and sold to American consumers until the FDA announced its withdrawal in 1997. There were additional concerns about the effect of the drug on heart valves with as many as 66 cases of disease in patients that had been taking fenfluramine and its variants.



 



 



What has been the liability, assessed to date?



 



 



Wyeth pharmaceuticals (now owned by Pfizer), the distributor of fenfluramine and Redux has an estimated liability of 14 billion owed to individuals that have suffered from taking Fen-Phen. There has been dispute as to the amount of individuals affected by cardiac distress by this drug with some estimates ranging as high as thirty percent. Studies have shown that individuals that have taken this drug for more than two years have a 17% increased chance of developing heart valve disease.



 



 



What should I do if I have been negatively impacted by this drug?



 



 



An electrocardiogram from a licensed healthcare provider is essential to failing a claim for your share of the settlement. Disbursement of compensation had slowed after falsified or misleading electrocardiograms were submitted for claims by doctors that were paid by law firms. An attorney can better help you determine if you are eligible for damages due to medical expenses, loss of wages and pain and anguish.