Pharmaceutical Prescriptions

Adhering to the 7 tenants of the therapeutic order, a naturopathic physician should only use prescriptive mediations when other, less invasive therapies are not sufficient to support your body's current health state.  As seen in the therapeutic order, "addressing pathology using specific pharmacological or synthetic substances" is reserved for conditions in which a natural and integrative approach are not substantial.  A general rule when prescribing is "start low and go slow" - this can be said for essentially any therapeutic intervention.  As a naturopathic physician in B.C, I have authority to prescribe pharmaceuticals which are included in our college's scope of practice.  This includes both conventional pharmaceuticals which are generally covered under PharmaCare as well as specific compounded prescriptions such as bio-idential hormones, topical applications and thyroid medications.