Search

Nurses in eight demonstration sites have been able to prescribe from a limited formulary since October 1994. This paper presents the views of nurses and other health professionals regarding the nurses' new role. Many benefits were noted by respondents, including savings in time for nurses and an increased sense of responsibility now that they were seen to be accountable for decisions made. General practitioners (GPs) and other professionals were supportive of the initiative and expressed confidence in the nurses' prescribing abilities.

As part of the evaluation of nurse prescribing in eight demonstration sites, interviews were conducted with a sample of the prescribing nurses' patients (n=148). Information obtained related to the number and range of medicinal items bought over-thecounter (OTC) in a one month period, as well as the reasons why patients chose particular products. Patient views regarding when items should be bought OTC and when obtained on a prescription were also explored. A number of similarities with other literature on self medication were observed and are discussed.