Chapter 1 - Prescriptive Authority
What is prescriptive authority?
Prescriptive authority is the legal right to prescribe drugs
Full prescriptive authority is the legal right to prescribe independently and without limitation:
Physicians
Components of prescriptive authority:
The right to prescribe independently
The right to prescribe without limitation
Prescribing independently does not require physician supervision or collaboration
Prescribing without limitation includes controlled drugs, except schedule I drugs which have
no current medical use
Arkansas APRNs authorized to prescribe schedule III – V drugs under physician
collaboration/supervision
Prescriptive authority regulations
Prescriptive authority is determined by state law under the jurisdiction of a health
professional board such as the State Board of Medicine, Nursing, or Pharmacy
Federal government only controls drug regulation not prescriptive authority. Several
organizations have appealed to change this in an effort to expand prescriptive authority and
the scope of practice of APRNs.
The case for full prescriptive authority
Limited prescriptive authority, creates barriers related to healthcare quality, affordability,
and accessibility. Distance of MD prevents outreach to rural areas. Need for MD cosign
creates wait times for patients. Also, creates a situation where MD holds the power in the
relationship. Dissolution of arrangement leaves APRN at a loss.
What is prescriptive authority?
Prescriptive authority is the legal right to prescribe drugs
Full prescriptive authority is the legal right to prescribe independently and without limitation:
Physicians
Components of prescriptive authority:
The right to prescribe independently
The right to prescribe without limitation
Prescribing independently does not require physician supervision or collaboration
Prescribing without limitation includes controlled drugs, except schedule I drugs which have
no current medical use
Arkansas APRNs authorized to prescribe schedule III – V drugs under physician
collaboration/supervision
Prescriptive authority regulations
Prescriptive authority is determined by state law under the jurisdiction of a health
professional board such as the State Board of Medicine, Nursing, or Pharmacy
Federal government only controls drug regulation not prescriptive authority. Several
organizations have appealed to change this in an effort to expand prescriptive authority and
the scope of practice of APRNs.
The case for full prescriptive authority
Limited prescriptive authority, creates barriers related to healthcare quality, affordability,
and accessibility. Distance of MD prevents outreach to rural areas. Need for MD cosign
creates wait times for patients. Also, creates a situation where MD holds the power in the
relationship. Dissolution of arrangement leaves APRN at a loss.
