Can chiropractors write prescriptions

Answer 1

In short, NO. Only a licensed medical physician can prescribe medications.

This may be changing to some extent. Although many chiropractors pride themselves on taking a drugless approach to health, in New Mexico chiropractors are on their way to having have some very limited prescription privileges (only after advanced training and certification). Further information is detailed below:

CERTIFIED ADVANCED PRACTICE CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN AUTHORITY DEFINED -

A certified advanced practice chiropractic physician may prescribe, dispense, and administer herbal medicines, homeopathic medicines, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, glandular products, naturally derived substances, protomorphogens, live cell products, gerovital, amino acids, dietary supplements, foods for special dietary use, bioidentical hormones, sterile water, sterile saline, sarapin or its generic, caffeine, procaine, oxygen, epinephrine, and vapocoolants.

from http://www.sos.state.nm.us/2008/HBill275.pdf

Also, see page 11 of the following link: http://www.nmmb.state.nm.us/pdffiles/OldMinutesAgenda/minutes20080214-15.pdf

So, while it appears Chiropractors have some very limited prescription privileges forthcoming, until a formulary is approved by the NM medical board (within some very stringent rules set down in HB 275 itself), the actual meaning of "prescriptive privileges" will be unclear. It should be noted, that any and all "dangerous substances" on the formulary have to be approved by the New Mexical Medical Board.

Answer 2

It is generally required that a person be an MD (Doctor of Medicine), DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), PA (Physicians Assistant), OD (Optometrist), DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine), DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) to write a prescription.

Answer 3

Many offices will accept a note from a chiropractor, but some will need a GP or specialized doctor's note instead/as well. Check with your HR manager to find out for sure.

Answer 4

Yes.