Washington News: Changes in Naturopathy Law and Rules

January 1, 2008 4:39 pm Topics: Prescribing authority

Published in the January 2008 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

In November 2007 the Department of Health finalized new rules for the practice of naturopathy. The rules allow naturopathic physicians (ND) to prescribe any legend drug except botulinum toxin. The ND also can prescribe any codeine or testosterone product in Schedules III through V. The new rules follow a law passed in 2005. This law redefined naturopathy practice. It stated naturopathy drug use is based on current practice rather than medicines of mineral, animal, and botanical origin.

To prescribe the controlled substance (CS) drugs, ND must complete four hours of training and then get Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration. NDs can continue to dispense and prescribe nonlegend drugs such as vitamins, minerals, botanical medicines, homeopathic medicines, and hormones. Naturopaths can prescribe and administer intravenous therapy after eight hours of graduate level study. They may use all types of injections.