Prescribing Rights for Health Professionals. Position Statement.

2010 Jan
College of Family Physicians of Canada

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) supports models of practice that include enhanced roles for non-physician health professionals to improve access to care for patients. Legislation enabling non-physician health care professionals to prescribe medications has been enacted in some jurisdictions. The CFPC believes that such expansion of scopes of practice must not compromise patient safety and quality of care. Prescribing rights must go hand in hand with the ability to make a medical diagnosis, taking into account a differential diagnosis and results of an appropriate medical workup. Expansion of scopes of practice must not be effected simply as a short term solution to resource shortages, but should be based on stringent criteria, evidence of efficacy, and consideration of the model of care.