Legalization of Nurse Prescribing of Medication in Brazil: History, Trends and Challenges

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the legal and normative contours of nurse prescribing of medications in Brazil, showing its history, trends and challenges. It is an exploratory study conducted through desk research of nursing law, the Health Ministry and the health sector norms to address this issue. The steps of a documentary study and the analysis of data contents were followed. The nursing discipline contributed to the legalization of prescription, but not to its legitimacy; this assignment in primary care is consolidated through protocols and legislation, although there is no clear strategy for monitoring by the Health Ministry; there is resistance in some norms within the health sector. We conclude that there is a trend of nurse prescribing of medication, which currently remains only as a legality, and the main challenge is to achieve legitimacy.

Atuação do Enfermeiro no Gerenciamento do Programa de Assistência Integral à Saúde da Mulher

“…Ratificando esses resultados, relato de experiência sobre o Protocolo na assistência pré-natal na Estratégia de Saúde da Família, os enfermeiros participantes também não relataram o fazer 20 . Estudo concluiu que além da resistência médica em relação ao tema, também percebe-se um descompromisso do enfermeiro no que se refere à luta pela legitimação dessa atribuição 21 .…”

Advanced practices for care management: reflections on the Brazilian Nursing

“…Prescription of medicines by nurses in Brazil is recognized as legal action, especially in PHC, whose practice is governed by decentralized agreements that govern its extension (22) . Although regulated, the prescription of medicines by Brazilian nurses has little legitimacy, either by the population or even by the professionals themselves (22) .…”

“…Prescription of medicines by nurses in Brazil is recognized as legal action, especially in PHC, whose practice is governed by decentralized agreements that govern its extension (22) . Although regulated, the prescription of medicines by Brazilian nurses has little legitimacy, either by the population or even by the professionals themselves (22) . It is considered that this problem is not unique to the scientific community, because the question is given by several factors, but in Brazil, this certainly occurs due to the fact that health care is strongly influenced by the biomedical model of care.…”

Nurse Prescribing From the Global Vantage Point: The Intersection Between Role and Policy

“…Less is known about nurse prescribing at the advanced level in low-to middle-income countries, notably in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Africa. In Latin America and the Caribbean, nurses at the advanced level (postbasic) in Columbia and Brazil have the statutory authority to prescribe a broad range of drugs (Go´mez Gonza´lez, Afonso Flores, Herna´ndez Pa´ez, & Ferna´ndez, 2011;Martiniano et al, 2015). In Belize, postbasic nurses, referred to as psychiatric nurse practitioners, legally prescribe a wide range of psychotropic medications, primarily as a way to expand access to mental health services (Killian & Cayetano, 2009).…”