Abstract
This article discusses the proposal by members of the American Psychological Association to grant psychologists the privilege of prescribing medication. Legislative history establishing regulation of the privilege of prescribing was initiated to promote the public welfare. Most medical and legal authorities agree that prescribers have to “do what doctors do” and know what doctors know to safely prescribe. Thus, based on training and intellectual orientation, psychologists and other non-physician professionals are simply not prepared to prescribe medicine. The article explores issues of legal liability and decreased protection to patients and to pharmaceutical manufacturers if the privilege is expanded and patients are injured by medication prescribed by psychologists.
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