Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

250Chapter 11 – Profession of NaturopathyThere are currently 950 NDs registered in Ontario. Of those, approximately90 percent hold a baccalaureate degree, primarily in the sciences.Applicants seeking entry into the ND program for the 2008–2009 academicyear will be required to hold a baccalaureate degree from an accrediteduniversity prior to entry. 4 Ninety-seven percent of NDs are graduates of theCanadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), which trains themajority of NDs who practice in Canada. More than ten percent of currentlyregulated NDs are dual registrants of other health colleges that areregulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). 5Legislative and Regulatory Framework for the Practiceof Naturopathy in OntarioNaturopathic medicine is currently regulated under the Drugless PractitionersAct (DPA) and will become regulated under the RHPA when the NaturopathyAct, 2007 is proclaimed in force at the conclusion of the transition process.Currently, NDs are not authorized under the DPA to “prescribe or administerdrugs for use internally or externally, or use or direct or prescribe the use ofanesthetics for any purpose whatsoever”. The DPA does permit NDs toadminister natural substances such as injectable vitamins, minerals and aminoacids that are available only from a pharmacist.Authorized Acts:Under the Naturopathy Act, 2007, NDs are authorized, subject to the terms,conditions and limitations imposed on their certificate of registration, toperform the following: 61. Putting an instrument, hand or finger beyond the labia majora butnot beyond the cervix.2. Putting an instrument, hand or finger beyond the anal verge but notbeyond the rectal-sigmoidal junction.3. Administering, by injection or inhalation, a prescribed substance.4. Performing prescribed procedures involving moving the joints of thespine beyond the individual’s usual physiological range of motionusing a fast, low amplitude thrust.5. Communicating a naturopathic diagnosis identifying, as the cause ofan individual’s symptoms, a disease, disorder or dysfunction thatmay be identified through an assessment that uses naturopathictechniques.6. Taking blood samples from veins or by skin pricking for the purposeof prescribed naturopathic examinations on the samples.4Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Application for Admission,Available at:http://www.ccnm.edu/pdf/Application_2007.pdf.5BDDT-N, OAND, CCNM and CAND.Review of Non-Physician Prescribing and Administration of Drugs.November 2008.6Naturopathy Act, 2007, S.O. 2007, c. 10, Sch. P, s. 4.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009