Consultation begins on pharmacist independent prescribing of CDs
Whether pharmacist independent prescribers should be allowed to prescribe Controlled Drugs is the subject of a Home
Office consultation that aims to increase access to medicines for patients, improving care in areas such as palliative care, substance misuse, post-operative care and pain relief.
The consultation, launched last week, also seeks views on whether the
range of CDs that independent nurse prescribers are able to prescribe
should be expanded. In addition it addresses whether pharmacist and nurse
prescribers should be able to prescribe specific schedule 2 CDs to addicts
for the management of their addiction.
The Government believes that prescribing by pharmacist and nurse prescribers
should be considered in the same way as prescribing by doctors. “The
current inability of pharmacist independent prescribers to prescribe
independently any CD and nurse independent prescribers to prescribe a
very limited range independently is at odds with this, and is seen as
a potential barrier to patient choice and local innovation in providing
services for patients,” the consultation states.
The document emphasises that, if the proposal is adopted, pharmacist
and nurse independent prescribers would still not be able to prescribe
cocaine, diamorphine or dipipanone for the management of drug addiction.
It adds that the Home Office would welcome views on this matter so that
it can give further consideration to the feasibility of such a change.
David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement at the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society, said: “Extending prescribing powers to
include Controlled Drugs will give patients improved access to the care
they need and make full use of pharmacists’ skills. Pharmacists
will only prescribe within their own competencies and the Society has
developed a clinical governance framework for prescribers to ensure that
standards are maintained.”
The proposed changes would have effect in England, Scotland and Wales.
The consultation is available on the Home
Office website
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