Registering Emergency Medical Services Agencies Under the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017

The "Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017," (the Act) which became law on November 17, 2017, amended the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to allow for a new registration category for emergency medical services agencies that handle controlled substances. It also established standards for registering emergency medical services agencies, and set forth new requirements for delivery, storage, and recordkeeping related to their handling of controlled substances. In addition, the Act allows emergency medical services professionals to administer controlled substances outside the physical presence of a medical director or authorizing medical professional pursuant to a valid standing or verbal order. The Drug Enforcement Administration is publishing this final rule to conform its regulations to the statutory amendments of the CSA and to otherwise implement its requirements. This final rule adopts, with minor modifications, the notice of proposed rulemaking published on October 5, 2020.