Nurse Practitioner Prescribing Rights Take Effect
Nurse practitioners can now prescribe a range of medicines under new regulations which came into effect on 8 December. This will, in particular, give benefits to rural areas faced with doctor shortages. Under the new regulations qualified nurse practitioners now have the right to prescribe a range of prescription medicines and controlled substances (previously only nurse practitioners in aged care and child family health had limited prescribing rights). Nurse practitioners will now be able to prescribe medications in a range of new areas, including treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardio-vascular disease.
There are currently 17 nurse practitioners in NZ. One nurse has already obtained prescribing rights and around 100 are in the process of being assessed by the Nursing Council.
Nurse practitioners have to complete a clinical masters programme and a specific prescribing course of study at masters level, then be approved as prescribers by the Nursing Council. Nurse practitioners have to demonstrate advanced practice skills in order to be approved by the Nursing Council and have to demonstrate ongoing competency as part of their regulatory process. The Ministry of Health will be responsible for maintaining and updating the list of medicines nurse practitioners can prescribe.
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
Contact this person
