QUEBEC - As the Quebec government works toward adopting legislation that would give pharmacists broader powers, the province's nurses say they feel they should have the power to prescribe, too.
Bill 41 legislation was introduced earlier this month to allow pharmacists to renew or adjust prescriptions for a specified period and prescribe certain medications when no diagnosis is required. The goal was to ease the burden of family doctors facing an ever increasing demand.
"We hope that it's going to be adopted before the end of the session," said Health Minister Yves Bolduc.
The Quebec Order of Nurses, however, said their profession has been left out of the legislation.
"We don't have the power to prescribe medication… we are asking to improve our capacity in this matter," said Gyslaine Desrosiers, president of the Quebec Order of Nurses.
In 2003, Bill 90 granted nurses the power to make prescription adjustments. But nearly a decade later, the order calls the bill useless.
"The mechanism called ‘collective prescription' is inoperative right now because the pharmacists said that they cannot sell a medication with (only) the indication of a nurse," said Desrosiers.
Bolduc denied the issue is a power struggle between health care professionals.
"I don't think it's a power struggle; I think it's human nature," he said.
Parti Quebecois health critic Agnes Maltais said cooperation between doctors, nurses and pharmacists is key.
"We must work on interdisciplinary (care). That's the way we will succeed in giving access to doctors. That's very important," said Maltais.
The Quebec Order of Nurses agrees, adding that the healthcare system will continue to suffer unless the government modifies the bill and gives nurses new responsibilities.
