A consultation has launched which proposes extending the medicines responsibilities of four allied health professionals, including the prescribing role of physiotherapists.
The consultation, which is open until 28 October, suggested extending the list of drugs that physiotherapists can prescribe and the list of medicines that paramedics can administer. It also suggested operating department practitioners could supply and administer medicines and diagnostic radiographer practitioners of a certain level could become independent prescribers.
The proposals suggested that healthcare services have undergone ‘significant transformation’, with highly trained non-medical professionals, including allied health professionals providing ‘substantial direct patient care independently’.
It added that the rules on who can prescribe, administer or supply particular medicines ‘no longer reflect developments in best practice’ and that the changes could reduce burdens on clinicians and improve access.
‘Referrals between some clinicians and doctors no longer follow best perceived practice and may be inefficient,’ it said. ‘This can include in emergency situations where any delay can have serious consequences.’
The proposal would allow physiotherapist independent prescribers to prescribe four additional controlled drugs beyond the seven already permitted. These are:
• Codeine phosphate (oral administration),
• Tramadol hydrochloride (oral administration),
• Pregabalin (oral administration),
• Gabapentin (oral administration).
‘Tramadol, pregabalin and gabapentin have all been prescribable by physiotherapist independent prescribers in the past, before being reclassified as controlled drugs, and the evidence suggests these restrictions, together with those on codeine, are no longer optimal,’ the proposals said.
‘All four are used for pain relief in the context of physiotherapy. In each case, current prescribing guidance no longer reflects best practice and leads to additional appointments being required, with an increased risk of delay before appropriate treatment can be provided.’
For paramedics, the proposals would allow them to administer an additional three controlled drugs under exemptions: Lorazepam (by injection), Midazolam (by injection), and three forms of fentanyl (oral transmucosal, intranasal, intravenous). It would also allow them to administer four prescription-only medicines under exemptions: Dexamethasone, Magnesium sulfate, Tranexamic acid and Flumazenil.
‘The reform could generate significant time savings for paramedics and ambulance services, whilst improving patient experience and pain management,’ the consultation proposal said.
A version of this story was first published on our sister title Pulse PCN.
