Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Naturopaths to be allowed to prescribe medication

I'm not sure I follow this story. I thought the point of going to a naturopath was because you would want to avoid traditional pharmaceuticals.

From the Vancouver Sun:
Naturopathic doctors in B.C. could soon be allowed to prescribe medications if the provincial government goes ahead with plans to change its health profession regulations.

The changes would make B.C. the first province in Canada to grant naturopathic doctors the authority to prescribe drugs such as antibiotics, painkillers and anti-depressants.

But the move is being met with concern from the B.C. Medical Association, which argues patient safety will be put at risk if the changes are allowed.

In a letter written last month to the province’s medical doctors, association president Bill Mackie expressed the group’s concerns.

“The BCMA is significantly concerned with the expansion of scope proposed for naturopaths that includes the ability to order lab tests and prescribe Schedule I and II medications,” he wrote. ...more

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

As pharmacists we should be very concerned about the growing legitimacy offered to pseudoscientific ideas like naturopathy.

For more information on naturopathy:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?s=naturopathy

http://www.naturowatch.org/

Naturopathy is the antithesis of evidence-based, science-based care, and this initiative should be strongly opposed by pharmacists and other legitimate health professionals.