Non-medical prescribing

Abstract

Historically, doctors and dentists were the only ‘independent prescribers’ able to assess patients, make a diagnosis and prescribe medication. Doctors are able to prescribe any legally allowable medications, appliances, devices or chemical reagents. Dentists are limited to prescribing items in the ‘Dental Practitioners’ Formulary’, listed in the back of the British National Formulary. More recently, legislation has allowed allied health professionals to write prescriptions under certain circumstances, once they have completed appropriate training. Once obtained, qualifications in prescribing are registered with the practitioners’ professional body. Health professionals who do not have prescribing rights can only supply or administer prescription-only medicines under ‘patient specific directions’ or ‘patient group directions’. This article summarises the current mechanisms by which patients can legally receive any prescription-only medicines that they need. It also looks at how using these mechanisms can improve patient safety and patient access to clinical services.