When determining whether a medication falls within the prescribing scope for a Naturopathic Doctor (ND), the answer is not always straightforward. Prescribing decisions often require consideration of regulatory requirements, professional standards, and individual clinical competence. This overview is intended to support thoughtful and informed decision-making in practice.
Begin by Identifying What Is Clearly Out of Scope
A practical first step is to identify drugs and substances that are explicitly excluded from ND prescribing. NDs must not prescribe medications that fall into the following categories:
- Substances listed in Schedule IA of the BC Drug Schedules Regulation
- Substances listed in any schedule of the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Drugs identified in the “Excluded Schedule I Drugs” section of the Naturopathic Physicians Regulations
- Drugs or substances excluded under the Scope of Practice for Naturopathic Physicians: Standards, Limits and Conditions for Prescribing, Dispensing and Compounding Drugs, including drugs that have been newly approved by Health Canada but are still under review by the CCHPBC
To support registrants, the College has developed an Inclusion List available in ROSS. This list can be a helpful starting point when assessing whether a drug is within scope. If a medication does not appear on the Inclusion List and is not clearly captured in the exclusions noted above, it is advisable to contact the College for clarification before prescribing.
Refer to the Scope of Practice Standard
Prescribing decisions should be informed by the Scope of Practice for Naturopathic Physicians: Standards, Limits and Conditions for Prescribing, Dispensing and Compounding Drugs. This standard outlines both what may be prescribed and the conditions under which prescribing is expected to occur in practice.
Regular review of this document can be especially helpful when considering new medications or expanding prescribing activities.
Reflect on Professional Competence
Prescribing within scope also requires consideration of professional competence. In addition to regulatory compliance, safe prescribing depends on appropriate knowledge, training, and judgment.
Before prescribing, NDs should ensure that they:
- Possess the clinical knowledge and competence required for safe prescribing
- Hold valid certification in prescriptive authority
- Are practising in alignment with all applicable professional obligations, including:
- Other relevant practice standards
This reflective approach supports both patient safety and professional accountability.
Why This Matters
Maintaining awareness of prescribing scope supports safe patient care, promotes consistency in clinical practice, and helps uphold public confidence in the profession. It also ensures that prescribing practices remain aligned with current legislative and regulatory requirements.
Practice Tip for NDs
Regular review of prescribing practices and consultation of current standards and inclusion lists can help maintain confidence in clinical decision-making. When uncertainty arises, seeking clarification from the College before prescribing is a prudent step.
For questions related to scope of practice registrants are encouraged to contact Practice Support at PracticeSupport@cchpbc.ca or by calling 604-742-6670, then pressing 2 followed by 1. Please select the option that corresponds to the relevant profession.
