Physiotherapy jobs holders to dispense prescriptions?

Those with podiatry or physiotherapy jobs could soon be allowed to prescribe drugs if a new scheme gets the go ahead. According to the Health Service Journal, the Department of Health has asked industry professionals, such as those currently in pharmacy jobs, to list the conditions which they feel podiatry or physiotherapy practitioners could write prescriptions for. The journal said physiotherapy and podiatry professionals could be allowed to issue drugs if they have at least three years’ experience and are approved by their employer, the Associated Press reports. It was suggested the move could improve care and allow “innovative service design”. What’s more, people with pharmacy jobs in Scotland are also set to see their roles expanded as part of a new scheme to give them greater access to patient records. Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the service will allow patients to pick up their medicines from the pharmacist without having to see a doctor first.