On July 1, 2015, Ontario enacted the Naturopathy Act, 2007 (Act) , which brings naturopaths under the rubric of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and establishes the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (College) as the self-regulatory body governing the practice of naturopathy in Ontario.  The practice of naturopathy was previously regulated under the now-repealed Drugless Practitioners Act.

With this change comes new rights for Ontario’s naturopaths to prescribe, dispense, compound and/or sell certain drugs designated by regulation under the Act.  Designated drugs are mainly vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and botanicals.  Estrogen and progesterone may be prescribed but only in bioidentical form and only for topical or suppository application.

Naturopaths can prescribe designated drugs only if the requisite “standards of practice” are met.  The standards of practice include the existence of a naturopath-patient relationship, providing the patient with a written prescription, and prescribing a designated drug only for the purpose and route of administration designated by regulation.  Additionally, naturopaths can only prescribe designated drugs if they have successfully completed a course approved by the College relating to drug prescription.

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