REGISTERED nurse prescribing is a step closer, with the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee recommending the passage of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025.
The Australian College of Nursing has welcomed the Committee's unanimous recommendation to pass the bill, after it found strong support for the reform across the health sector and wider community.
If passed by the Senate, the bill would enable endorsed nurse prescribers to access PBS subsidies from Jul 2026, meaning patients can access rebates for nurse-prescribed medicines.
Those who stand to benefit most from the reform are people in rural, regional and remote communities, First Nations populations, palliative care patients, and those seeking sexual and reproductive health services - groups that have long faced barriers to timely, affordable care.
The Committee was satisfied that robust safeguards are embedded in the legislation, including prescribing agreements with authorised health practitioners, specific qualification and endorsement requirements, and full inclusion under the Professional Services Review - the same oversight framework that applies to all other PBS prescribers.
With nurses already undertaking study to become RN prescribers, the ACN has called for the bill to be passed without delay and necessary legislation put in place before the first cohort graduates in Jul.
"Designated registered nurse prescribing will strengthen the health system by easing workforce pressures and building the long-term capacity and sustainability our communities urgently need," said Australian College of Nursing CEO, Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz.
"We congratulate the Committee on its decisive recommendation," she added. KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 27 Feb 26
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 27 Feb 26
