New Law Recognizes AOA as Physician-Level Provider of Required Training for Prescribers of Controlled Substances

ST. LOUIS—The Support for Patients and Providers Act, signed into law on December 1, recognizes the American Optometric Association (AOA) as a physician-level provider of required training for prescribers of controlled substances, according to an announcement by the AOA. The new law incorporates language sought by the AOA to address a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) compliance issue created by an earlier law requiring specific training for prescribers of controlled substances, the announcement said. The new law will also ease the burden of federal training and education requirements for doctors of optometry and expand access to and treatment of opioid use disorders, the AOA said.