PRESCRIPTIONS

In the state of Arizona, naturopathic medical doctors are licensed to practice medicine.  We are entitled to write prescriptions for pharmaceuticals regulated by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.  Generally speaking, it is a broad prescribing authority.  I am registered with the DEA and have prescription writing authority within my scope of medical practice.

My background in the field of toxicology provides me with a detailed understanding of the role of prescription medications in the treatment of disease.  I find that many patients are overmedicated or sometimes receive the wrong medications entirely.  Some patients have adverse effects to drug therapy that can be ameliorated via other therapies that I offer.   While I would not remove any one from lifesaving medications, I have found that many people respond well to having their prescription regimen adjusted or substituted for alternative therapy.  Many times, the prescribing physician is interested and cooperative in these changes.  After consultation with the prescribing physician, I exercise my prescription rights to modify or discontinue those medications in an educated, responsible manner to improve the health and clinical outcomes in my patients.  Ultimately, the patient makes the decision to change his/her course of therapy based on the consensus of the concerned caregivers.

There are some drugs for which we have no alternative treatment—particularly when urgency is a concern.  Emergency medical care resulting from trauma is a good example.  Health issues in our modern age require modern approaches.  Medical examiners determine standard of care and scopes of practice.  Some standards of care require the use of drugs in the treatment of certain illnesses.  Since my practice scope includes pharmaceuticals, I am compliant with the law at all times and use drugs when they are necessary and indicated.

I respect and appreciate the power of drugs.  I take issue with their misuse, overuse, and abuse.  I think that many drugs are a last resort to a bad situation.  They are not my primary therapeutic choice for most health issues, but there are times when I believe that drugs are an absolute necessity.  As a primary physician, I use my prescribing authority with discretion and reserve.  I prescribe drugs using the same guidelines for using any other modality.  I also try to stay true to my philosophical basis of practice.  This means first doing no harm, treating the entire patient, treating the cause, promoting the healing power of nature, instructing patients about disease and health, practicing prevention, and respecting the environment.