Naturopathic doctors.

Existing law, the Naturopathic Doctors Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors by the Naturopathic Medicine Committee in the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Existing law authorizes a naturopathic doctor to perform various tasks, including dispensing, administering, ordering, and prescribing nutraceuticals, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, among other substances. Existing law authorizes a naturopathic doctor to furnish or order drugs when, among other requirements, the drugs are ordered or furnished under physician supervision. Existing law authorizes a naturopathic doctor to independently prescribe epinephrine and natural and synthetic hormones, as specified. This bill would also authorize a naturopathic doctor to furnish nutraceuticals, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, among other substances, as specified, and to independently prescribe and administer epinephrine and natural and synthetic hormones. The bill would further authorize a naturopathic doctor to independently prescribe and administer nutraceuticals, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, among other substances that may be administered by intramuscular, intravenous, or other specified routes only when such substances are chemically identical to those for sale without a prescription. The bill would require a naturopathic doctor, in order to qualify for intravenous therapy administration, to demonstrate that he or she has complied with specified requirements, including the successful completion of specified coursework by a provider approved by the committee.