Plan for big expansion of independent nurse prescribing announced
More than 60 extra medicines to treat 30 additional conditions are to be added to the nurse prescribers' extended formulary under plans announced by the Department of Health last week. The legislative change will apply throughout the UK, but it is for the devolved administrations to determine the pace of change in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Consultation letter MLX303, issued jointly by the Department and the
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, sets out proposals
to allow independent nurse prescribers to prescribe medicines ranging
from alteplase to treat acute myocardial infarction to tropisetron for
post-operative nausea and vomiting. Antibiotics for the treatment of
dental infections, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, cellulitis
and meningitis are
included in the consultation.
The DoH says that the consultation is part of a drive to make better
use of nurses’ skills and to make it easier for patients to get
access to medicines they need.
Meanwhile, moves towards the introduction of independent prescribing
by pharmacists continue, albeit slowly.
David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement at the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society, said: “Independent prescribing by pharmacists
is high on the Society’s agenda. It is clear that the Department
of Health has started the process, but we are disappointed about the
time it is taking. We will continue to press for real progress on pharmacist
independent prescribing.”
Nurse prescribers are already able to prescribe more than 180 medicines
for 79 conditions. Currently, a little over 2,000 nurses are qualified
to prescribe from the nurse prescribers’ extended formulary. More
than 25,000 other district nurses and health visitors can prescribe from
a more restricted formulary.
Comments on MLX303 can be sent to Martin Bagwell, MHRA, Market Towers,
1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ (e-mail martin.bagwell@mhra.gsi.gov.uk)
until 13 July. Comments can also be made using an online
form at the
MHRA website. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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