Canada mulls wider prescription authority

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OTTAWA, May 13 (UPI) -- The Canadian government wants more prescription authority for midwives, nurse practitioners and podiatrists, the health minister announced Sunday.

In a release, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said "selected medications containing legal controlled substances" should be able to be prescribed by health professionals under provincial regulation.

"Currently, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act authorizes only medical doctors, dentists and veterinarians to conduct activities with controlled substances," her statement said. "The proposed New Classes of Practitioners Regulations would authorize these additional health professionals (midwives, nurse practitioners and podiatrists) to prescribe, administer and provide legal controlled substances such as codeine, fentanyl and diazepam to treat patients in provinces and territories where they are licensed to do so."

There was no immediate reaction from opposition parties or organizations on the initiative.