Physiotherapists, occupational therapists cannot prescribe medicines, national body reiterates

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has issued a public notice clarifying that physiotherapists and occupational therapists are not permitted to prescribe medicines or provide allopathic treatment, underscoring limits on their scope of practice under existing law.

 Clarification on scope of practice

In its notice, the Commission said professionals in physiotherapy and occupational therapy are authorised to provide only therapeutic and promotional health services. They are not allowed to prescribe drugs or medications, nor to administer allopathic treatment.

The clarification follows recent public debate over whether physiotherapists can use the prefix “Dr.” before their names. While that issue was settled in favour of allowing the title, the Commission has now drawn a clear line on what these professionals may and may not do in clinical practice.

Covered under Allied and Healthcare Professions Act

The Commission stated that physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals are governed by the Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021. As per the Act’s provisions, physiotherapy professionals cannot provide allopathic treatment, while occupational therapy professionals may only offer preventive, curative, therapeutic and promotional health services within their defined domain.

 However, the notice reiterates that neither category is permitted to prescribe medicines to patients.

 Warning of action for violations

Emphasising compliance, the Commission said physiotherapists and occupational therapists must strictly adhere to the rules and guidelines laid down under the Act. Any violation of its provisions will invite action under Section 59 of the Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, it added.

Gujarat complaint prompted notice

The clarification comes in the wake of a recent complaint from Gujarat, where allegations surfaced that a physiotherapist had prescribed medicines. The matter was reported to the council, following which the Commission issued the public notice to remove ambiguity and reiterate the legal position.

Reiterating its stance, the Commission said that while physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals may provide therapeutic treatment within their scope, they cannot prescribe medicines or administer allopathic treatment.