From hormones such as thyroid, progesterone, and estrogens, to antibiotics, antidepressants, and blood sugar medications it is helpful to be able to offer prescriptions to patients to augment their treatment plan. At times I prescribe, and at times I de-prescribe to help a patient to safely come off of meds that they feel no longer serves them or has side effects that they dislike.
I graduated naturopathic medical school in 2009, a few months after NDs (Naturopathic Doctors) in BC were given access to a range of prescription medications to offer to their patients. I was in the first wave of NDs to go through the additional education and testing in order to have this skill set in my figurative tool belt. While I still use herbs, nutrients, and other natural remedies I cannot imagine my practice without my prescription pad. Sometimes a medication is the right choice for that patient in that circumstance!