Nurses get limited right to prescribe medication to patients in their care
It is proposed that nurses are given a limited right to prescribe drugs to the patients they treat at nurses' clinics. The requirements include an employment relationship with the health centre, necessary further training, and an authorisation from the physician-in-charge. The limited prescribing right applies only to medication for specific medical conditions. The Government decided on the contents of the bill on Thursday 21 January. The intention is that the President of the Republic will submit the bill to Parliament on Friday.
Nurses would have the right to prescribe pre-defined vaccines and prescription drugs of which there is long experience. A nurse could continue the medication, for example, in case of arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and asthma. The conditions are that a doctor has diagnosed the medical condition and indicated in the patient's care plan that the medication continues and that the patient's condition and medication are stable. In emergency situations a nurse could prescribe some pre-determined drugs on the basis of symptoms.
The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) records the special competence of nurses due to the limited prescribing right in the national register for health care professionals. Valvira also controls that the requirements are met and issues an identification number for each nursewith a limited prescribing right. Prescribing medication is impossible without the identification number.
In case of wide-ranging epidemics, a Government decree can be issued to provide nurses the right to prescribe medication for the prevention and treatment of the infectious disease in question. This prescribing right would be temporary and subject to a doctor's authorisation.
In the Government bill it is also proposed that opticians and self-employed dental hygienists have the right to acquire the medication they need in their practice, such as topical anaesthetics.
Limited prescribing right improves the operational prerequisites for health centresEven now, health centre nurses are relatively independent as they keep nurses' clinics. The possibility to prescribe medication speeds up the start of the treatment of sudden and common health problems and improves the running of the health centre.
The reform is estimated to improve the operational prerequisites for health centres and the access to services as well as to increase client satisfaction in those health care units where the limited prescribing right is introduced. The limited prescribing right, along with other ways of dividing tasks, is estimated to slow down the rise in demand for physicians and to improve the efficiency of the outpatient services at health centres.
Further informationMs Päivi Kaartamo, Ministerial Counsellor (Legal Affairs), tel. 09 160 74353
Ms Marjukka Vallimies-Patomäki, Ministerial Adviser, tel. 09 160 74170