NEW legislation has passed into New Zealand law allowing nurse practitioners, specialist registered nurse prescribers and pharmacist prescribers working in addiction services to prescribe controlled drugs to treat addiction.
The Health Practitioners (Replacement of Statutory References to Medical Practitioners) Bill passed its third reading in Parliament last week.
The new legislation amends eight Acts substituting references to 'medical practitioner' with 'health practitioner', the New Zealand Health Department said.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomed the adjustments saying, "Many health practitioners will now be able to perform tasks that were previously the sole domain of medical practitioners.
"As a result, more patients will be able to receive more timely convenient care closer to home.
"This change is especially important in rural areas and aged care services and will help prevent unnecessary delays for families," Coleman emphasised.
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand said it was responsible for getting an amendment to the original Bill for pharmacist prescribers who were not mentioned in the original Bill.
Further information can be sourced at www.health.govt.nz.
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