Non-medical prescribing (NMP) – namely, the prescribing of medicines by health professionals who are not doctors – allows for increased availability and responsiveness of prescribing interventions. The non-medical management of substance misuse in the UK was revolutionised by 2012’s change to allow non-media prescribers to independently prescribe for the treatment of drug dependence.

PHE’s new document is intended for non-medical prescribers and all those with an interest in NMP including aspiring non-medical prescribers, consultants and clinical leads, service managers, NMP leads, colleagues from different professions (eg, doctors, psychologists, and social workers) and service commissioners.

Non-medical prescribing in the management of substance misuse was prepared by an expert group convened by PHE alcohol, drugs and tobacco and the National Substance Misuse Non-Medical Prescribing Forum (NSMNMPF). The document defines clear parameters within which non-medical prescribing can be delivered safely and effectively within recovery-orientated drug and alcohol treatment systems.