You might think that doctors are the only people who can write prescriptions for medicines. This is not entirely true. A number of other health professionals  — dentists, optometrists, midwives and nurse practitioners — can also prescribe some medicines in certain circumstances. 

The medicines these health professionals can prescribe depend on the specialised training and additional qualifications they have undertaken. In some cases, they may also depend on the state or territory in which you live.

With the exception of dentists, a person in one of these professions must have worked in their field for some years, and have undertaken additional training and qualifications at university before being allowed to prescribe medicines. All of these health professionals must also undertake ongoing education to ensure that their knowledge remains up to date.

Dentists

Dentists are able to prescribe and use a number of medicines, including some anaesthetics, pain relievers and antibiotics.

Optometrists

Optometrists who have the additional qualifications needed to prescribe medicines are known as ‘therapeutically endorsed optometrists’. They can prescribe a limited number of ‘topical’ eye medicines, that is, medicines that are applied to the eye in the form of drops, ointments or creams. These include local anaesthetics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines and medicines for glaucoma. They cannot prescribe any other form of medicine. Prescriptions written by therapeutically endorsed optometrists must include the words for ‘optometrical treatment only’.

Midwives

Midwives who can prescribe medicines are known as ‘authorised midwives’. They can prescribe a limited number of medicines used in the care of pregnant women and women in labour. These include some medicines for nausea and vomiting, some pain relievers and antibiotics. They must also work in collaboration with at least one doctor, such as an obstetrician or a GP who provides obstetric services.

Nurse practitioners

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have completed advanced studies and extensive clinical training. They are more common in rural and remote communities where access to doctors is limited. However, they are likely to become more common throughout Australia in the future.

Nurse practitioners are usually qualified to work in one specialty area only. Specialties include rural and remote health, older people’s health, chronic disease management and mental health. They can order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe a limited number of medicines, and care for patients within their specialty.

Nurse practitioners work alongside other health professionals, including GPs, specialists, physiotherapists, social workers and other nurses. They work  in hospitals, community health centres, and specialist clinics, such as diabetes and mental health clinics.

Keep a medicines list

When a number of health professionals are involved in your care, it is important that all are aware of the medicines you are taking. The easiest way to do this is for you to keep an up-to-date medicines list, making sure you include all your prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.

NPS has a Medicines List that you can use to record your medicines. You can download one from www.nps.org.au/medicineslist or by calling 02 8217 8700. You can also add it as a free app on your iPhone or iPad.