Panel splits as committee hears bill to let licensed naturopathic doctors prescribe wider drug classes

The House Health & Government Operations Committee heard extended testimony on House Bill 867 to expand prescriptive authority for Maryland-licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs). The measure would remove statutory limits that largely bar NDs from prescribing common pharmaceuticals and would authorize NDs to prescribe certain non–Schedule II controlled substances and other prescription medications subject to board rules.

Supporters — patient advocates, naturopathic doctors and some conventionally trained physicians — told the panel that licensed NDs complete four‑year graduate medical programs with extensive pharmacology coursework and clinical rotations and are trained to treat complex primary‑care patients. Clinicians said the current law forces NDs to diagnose patients but then refer them…