Urge Your Legislator to Oppose Expansion of Prescribing Authority for Naturopathic Doctors (SB 538) August 16, 2016 Advocacy, Politics and Medicine Politics, Prescribing, Scope of Practice 0 SB 538, introduced by Senator Ben Hueso, would allow "naturopathic doctors" who may have never written a prescription to independently prescribe Schedule V and non-scheduled prescription medications for diseases such as diabetes, blood disorders and hypertension without even consulting with or notifying a patient's medical doctor. In its current amended form, SB 538 is a dangerous expansion of prescribing authority for "naturopathic doctors." Specifically, the bill would allow a "naturopathic doctor" to independently prescribe Schedule V controlled medications after only 12 months of physician supervision. SB 538 would waive the 12-month requirement if the "naturopathic doctor" graduates from a 12-month residency approved by the National Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. The bill would also waive the 12-month requirement if the "naturopathic doctor" has practiced for at least 12 months in a state where independent prescribing is within the scope of practice of a "naturopathic doctor." SB 538 is also so broadly written that it fails to protect California consumers from out-of-state "naturopathic doctors" who are under investigation or who have been disciplined in other states for inappropriate prescribing of prescription drugs. Your legislators need to hear from you now! We ask that you and your colleagues CALL, EMAIL or FAX your legislators, and urge them to oppose SB 538! SB 538 is eligible to be heard on the Assembly Floor as early as Tuesday, August 16. Click here to take action Click here to look up which district you are in, if unknown Talking Points SB 538 is an outrageous and dangerous expansion of prescribing authority for "naturopathic doctors." In California, physicians and surgeons cannot independently prescribe scheduled and non-scheduled prescription medications until they complete a required residency of three years. A family physician completes 20,700 to 21,700 hours of education and clinical training, while a "naturopathic doctor" completes 5,505 to 6,485 hours of education and clinical training, with no required residency. Compared to medical school and residency training, a naturopathic education consists of relatively few hours of study on pharmacological treatment of disease. It also provides virtually no clinical reinforcement of pharmaceutical intervention on patients during clinical rotations or optional post-graduate training. Only 15 states license "naturopathic doctors," and only 11 provide "naturopathic doctors" with prescribing authority. No state authorizes "naturopathic doctors" to independently prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances or non-scheduled prescription medications. For your reference other active Calls to Action include the following: AB 72 (Bonta) – Oppose unless amended Bill would hinder physician contracting and threaten patient access. Target – Senate and Assembly, eligible to be heard on the Senate Floor as early as 8/16 AB 1306 (Burke) Oppose Bill would authorize a certified nurse midwife to perform medical procedures without the clinical supervision of a physician. Target – Senate Floor, currently eligible to be heard Comments are closed.
