Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

256Chapter 11 – Profession of NaturopathyWithout the controlled act of prescribing, NDs scope of practice will beless than their professional competencies, patients would not be able toaccess many natural substances from the ND or be able to receiveappropriate primary care, and patient choice and quality of care wouldbe curtailed.17NDs have the authorized act of administering a prescribed substance byinjection and inhalation. Currently, they administer and recommendsubstances for oral, topical, inhalant, injection and intravenous use to theirpatients as part of their diagnostic and treatment protocols. In theirtraditional practice, NDs administer a number of natural products byinhalation or injection such as injectable vitamins and chelating agents.Without the ability to prescribe these substances that may be re-classifiedas “prescription therapeutic products”, NDs say they will not be able toobtain the substances due to the proposed restrictions on the purchase andsale of prescription therapeutic products in the amended Food and DrugsAct. If NDs cannot obtain these prescription therapeutic products, they willnot be able to administer such substances by injection or inhalation as partof the practice of naturopathy.They argue that providing NDs with the ability to prescribe also supportsbroader health care goals. Naturopathic medicine considers the wholeperson, and has a focus on wellness. The Ontario government’s ChronicDisease Prevention and Management Framework indicates its commitment tomove the health care system from an illness to a wellness orientation.Prescribing rights are essential for NDs to maintain and enhance their rolein chronic disease prevention and management. Patients receiving medicaltreatments for cancers, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease andarthritis, among other diseases, often seek additional care from a ND inconjunction with treatment by other health professionals. 18NDs also recognize the importance of collaboration. They indicate they arelooking forward to more opportunities to work in collaborative teams astheir profession is fully regulated under the RHPA. Moving from the DPA andregulations to the common regulatory framework of the RHPA creates moreawareness of the scope of practice of NDs, more certainty for otherprofessions, and the removal of many potential barriers to collaboration. 19To bring the maximum value to interprofessional teams, NDs need to beable to practice to their full range of competencies. Access to theserestricted substances will help to ensure that NDs can practice to their fullscope of practice.Classes of DrugsThe proponents have submitted that the following classes of Schedule Idrugs should be prescribed in the drug regulations under the NaturopathyAct, 2007:17Ibid: 17.18Ibid: 39.19Ibid: 51.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009