Extension of controlled drug prescribing rights to independent prescribers.

After a wait of three years, the Home Office has finally made good on its promise to end the confusion over the range and use of controlled drugs by independent non-medical prescribers (NMPs). Since 23 April 2012, both nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers are able to prescribe a far broader range of controlled drugs as part of their practice. In a follow up to their article from November (Griffith and Tengnah, 2011) setting out the limits on prescribing controlled drugs by NMPs, Richard Griffith and Cassam Tengnah discuss the changes introduced by the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No. 2) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2012 and consider the implications of the changes on practice.