The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) issued Licensing Alert 07-2024 today to grant statewide exceptions to narcotic treatment programs (NTP) to expand access to medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder in alignment with the federal government’s Final Rule on 42 CFR Part 8.
The statewide exceptions to DDAP regulations that are being granted will enable:
- People with less than one year of physical dependence on opioids to be treated at an NTP;
- Verbal consent to treatment;
- A wider range of dosages based on physician discretion;
- Eight drug screens per year instead of 12;
- An increase in take-home medication; and
- Clinicians to determine counseling requirements unique to each person’s needs instead of mandatory minimums.
DDAP granted the statewide exceptions using 28 Pa. Code § 701.11, which gives it the authority to do so. Through Licensing Alert 07-2024, DDAP is granting these exceptions if the NTPs comply with the rules in 42 CFR Part 8. There is no need for NTPs to submit exception requests or to inform DDAP they are using these exceptions.
DDAP plans to include the changes to the federal rules when it updates its own state rules.
You can email DDAP with questions about this licensing alert.
