Complete prescribing power proposed for nurses and pharmacists
pharmafile | November 15, 2005 | News story | |
Some nurses and pharmacists could soon be able to prescribe almost any drug available on the NHS under sweeping changes proposed by the government.
Nurses are the biggest single staff group in the NHS and the changes could fundamentally alter the complexion of the pharma industry's target audience, should enough of them take up the training opportunity.
Nurses and pharmacists in England who pass exams to prescribe in the extended formulary will be able to prescribe any licensed medicine for any condition, with the exception of controlled drugs.
Only experienced nurses and pharmacists who are nominated by their employers will be eligible for training.
The extension of nurse and pharmacist prescribing is part of a drive to extend patient choice and would support a plan to open general practices seven days a week and in the evening.
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt said the extended prescribing would give patients faster access to medicines.
"By expanding traditional prescribing roles, patients can more easily access the medicines they need from an increased number of highly trained health professionals," Hewitt said.
The Health Secretary said the changes were about making it more convenient for patients to get their medicines and would benefit people like those with asthma and the terminally ill.
Scotland's health minister Andy Kerr has confirmed that the government will introduce the same extension of prescribing rights in Scotland.
The announcements have attracted strong criticism from doctor's representatives who have called for an urgent meeting with the health secretary on the subject.
Chairman of the BMA Consultant's Committee Dr Paul Miller said: "This is an irresponsible and dangerous move. Patients will suffer.
"I would not have me or my family subject to anything other than the highest level of care and prescribing, which is that provided by a fully trained doctor."
The BMA said that although it supported nurse and pharmacist prescribing in its current limited form, it believes the changes raise patient safety issues and concern about training.
The Royal College of Nursing and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain applauded the new move, saying nurses and pharmacists had already proved themselves fit for the role through extended and supplementary prescribing.
RCN general secretary Beverly Malone said: "Patients will now get even better care and faster access to medicines and research shows that nurse prescribing is safe, cost-effective and popular with patients."
The prescribing reforms could be in place by spring, but they will require legislative change before they can come into effect.
Since extended nurse prescribing was introduced in April 2002, 6,100 nurses have qualified to prescribe around 240 drugs for 110 conditions.
Additionally, there are more than 5,700 nurses and 600 pharmacists qualified as supplementary prescribers, prescribing from a limited list in partnership with a doctor or dentist.
Related articles:
Prescribing powers proposed for new NHS support workers
Friday , November 04, 2005
