Ketamine is a legal anesthetic that doctors can prescribe off-label for depression, and a wave of telehealth companies now ship it to patients' homes after a video call. The DEA (the drug enforcement agency) has flagged this as a serious diversion risk — meaning the drug could end up misused or sold. By mid-2027, expect the DEA to issue at least one formal warning, rule, or enforcement action specifically targeting this kind of at-home ketamine prescribing.
DEA will not preempt FDA on scheduling, but at-home subcutaneous/telehealth ketamine presents a diversion-control concern DEA has flagged repeatedly. An enforcement notice, proposed rule, or guidance on telehealth ketamine within the window is the falsifiable trigger.