Alaska Senate Panel Weighs Naturopathic Doctors' Prescription Authority

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee examined legislation Tuesday that would grant naturopathic doctors limited prescription authority for the first time in the state.

Senate Bill 193 would allow licensed naturopathic doctors to prescribe non-controlled medications under written agreements with supervising physicians. The bill excludes controlled substances, chemotherapy drugs, antipsychotic medications and invasive surgical procedures.

Clyde Jensen, a pharmacology expert who has led medical schools across different disciplines, testified in support of the measure. Jensen argued naturopathic programs provide pharmacology training hours comparable to traditional medical schools.

"Allopathic, osteopathic and naturopathic medical schools all deliver similar numbers of pharmacology contact hours," Jensen said.

Supporters argued the legislation would improve healthcare access, particularly in rural areas where medical doctors may be scarce. They said naturopathic doctors' training in natural therapies and preventive care could complement traditional medical approaches, potentially reducing healthcare costs and providing patients with more treatment options.

Carolyn McCurse, president of the Alaska State Medical Association, opposed the legislation. She raised safety concerns about the differences in clinical training between naturopathic doctors and physicians.

McCurse noted that physicians complete 12,000 to 16,000 hours of supervised clinical training compared to 500 to 1,500 hours for naturopathic pathways. She cited cases from her practice where she said naturopathic treatments delayed proper medical care.

"Inadequate clinical experience could lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment decisions," McCurse said.

Opponents expressed concerns that expanding prescription authority without equivalent training standards could compromise patient safety and potentially interfere with evidence-based medical treatments.

Currently, Alaska does not permit naturopathic doctors to prescribe medications. Patients must seek prescriptions from medical doctors or other licensed physicians.

The bill requires naturopathic doctors to complete 60 hours of continuing education every two years, including 20 hours in pharmacology. Implementation would cost the state approximately $24,000 annually.

The committee has not scheduled a vote on the measure.