Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

259Chapter 11 – Profession of NaturopathyThe proponents said that:Overall providing NDs with classes of drugs rather than specific drugsin the regulations gives NDs more flexibility to use and prescribe themost up-to-date and cost effective medicines, thereby providing patientswith the highest quality care. 24To provide needed safeguards, it is expected that the transitional councilwill recommend specific conditions for the appropriate use of classes ofdrugs, based on accepted best practice.Reducing the Risk of HarmNDs point out that some substances such as botanical medicines can betoxic if used inappropriately, for example Gelsemium sempervirens, Bryoniaalba and Phytolacca americana. 25 NDs indicate that the prescription and useof proposed drugs and many natural substances currently used by NDspresent risks:• Drug reactions: Allergic, anaphylactic, toxic, patient incompatibility• Drug interactions: With other drugs, botanicals, nutrients, enzymes,hormones and other natural health products• Inappropriate or incorrect use: Over-dosage/under-dosage• Patient abuse• Duplication of prescriptions: Result of inadequate communicationamong medical professionals• Errors in dispensing and drug handling.The risks are mitigated by education and training, demonstratedcompetency, and the safe record of the prescribing and administration ofthe proposed drugs and substances in other jurisdictions. 26The joint submission describes the integrated CCNM curriculum to preparestudents for entry to practise as safe and effective prescribers. The firstyear curriculum stresses the basic sciences and provides an introduction tothe modalities of naturopathic medicine. In second year, clinical science isstressed while in the third year there is an increased emphasis on studentsdeveloping the essential skills they will need to become primary carepractitioners. The focus of the fourth year is on clinic internship. Aspects ofpharmacology and learning objectives designed to ensure that graduatescan safely and effectively use drugs are also covered in a number of coursesthroughout the four-year program.24BDDT-N, OAND, CCNM and CAND. Review of Non-Physician Prescribing and Administration of Drugs.November 2008: 46.25Ibid: 23.26Ibid: 24.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009