CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Getting medication during a virtual appointment could get a lot harder.
Let's connect the dots.
Since the start of the pandemic, telehealth has made it a lot easier for people to get access to health care.
Patients are often able to meet with doctors and get prescriptions without ever seeing them. But that could soon change.
Starting today, the ability of health professionals to prescribe controlled medication without meeting the patient will come to an end.
That includes medication for things like sleep, ADHD, anxiety and depression.
There is still hope that access could change.
Federal agencies are working to allow some telehealth practitioners to prescribe some more medication virtually.
In the meantime, doctors worry people who rely on medication could experience withdrawal before they're able to get an appointment with a doctor.
MORE ON WCNC
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.
Locked On is the leading podcast network for local sports and is owned by WCNC Charlotte's parent company TEGNA.
Listen to Locked On here.
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.