05 May 2006
Nurses and pharmacists have hailed the dawn of a new era after the Department of Health confirmed they would be allowed to prescribe a wider range of drugs.
At the moment around 7,000 nurses prescribe a limited list of medicines under licence. These have mainly focused on pain relief and clearing up minor injuries but they will now be allowed to give patients all medicines except controlled drugs, such as diamorphine.
Doctors dropped their opposition after the introduction of 'stringent' controls.
Employers can nominate experienced pharmacists and nurses for additional training to enable them to join the exclusive band of prescribing nurses and pharmacists.
The move is crucial to relieve demand on GPs. The introduction of prescribing pharmacists should encourage patients to care for themselves where appropriate - a key proposal in the Wanless report.
The chief pharmaceutical officer, Keith Ridge, said: 'It will be much easier for patients to get the medicines they need, when they need them.'
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