The CNA concurs. The brief also maintains that nurses have adequate systems in place to support expanded prescriptive authority and specifies which controlled drugs RNs should be authorized to prescribe. Currently, the office is looking at which professionals, in addition to physicians, dentists and veterinarians, should be authorized to prescribe these drugs. But even if the federal government decides to give the nurses the right to prescribe controlled drugs, it's still up to each province and individual nursing regulatory body to decide whether to give the RNs more prescriptive authority. The CNA brief argues that expanded authority would improve access to primary health care, allow for more flexible service delivery, legitimize current practices and help control spending.
Similar moves are already under way outside Canada.
American nurse practitioners have limited authority to prescribe, and nurses in 11 states can prescribe controlled drugs. They report that their involvement reduces physicians' workload and saves them time. Meanwhile, England is implementing prescribing rights for all district nurses, health visitors and practice nurses by mid-2001. Other countries, including Iceland and New Zealand, are in the process of developing legislation. The bottom line is that health care workers must work in a way that is responsive and in the best interest of the public.