Can Naturopaths Prescribe Medication in Ontario? What NDs Can Prescribe
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Yasmin Amini, ND
Originally published: July 9, 2024
Last updated: August 2026
Quick Answer
Yes, naturopathic doctors can prescribe certain medications in Ontario, provided they have met the prescribing requirements established by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
However, naturopathic doctors do not have unrestricted prescribing authority. Their prescribing rights are limited to specific drugs and substances authorized under Ontario regulations, and some have restrictions related to dosage, route of administration, or clinical use.
This means the answer to “What can naturopaths prescribe in Ontario?” depends on both the substance involved and whether the individual naturopathic doctor is authorized to prescribe.
At Serene Clinic, our approach is to consider prescription medications, natural therapies, nutrition, lifestyle strategies, supplements, and appropriate referrals within an individualized treatment plan.
Can Naturopaths Prescribe Medication in Ontario?
Yes. In Ontario, naturopaths are regulated healthcare professionals under the Naturopathy Act, 2007.
Ontario regulations authorize qualified naturopathic doctors to perform several controlled acts within their professional scope, including prescribing designated drugs.
However, this does not mean every naturopath can prescribe every medication.
To prescribe an authorized drug, an ND must meet the applicable prescribing standards and requirements established by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Prescribing must also remain within the naturopathic doctor’s professional scope of practice.
In practical terms:
Not every medication can be prescribed by an ND.
Not every ND necessarily has prescribing authority.
Some authorized drugs have specific limitations.
The patient’s health history, existing medications, potential interactions, risks, and benefits must be considered.
Referral to another healthcare professional may be necessary when treatment falls outside the ND’s scope.
This distinction is important when comparing the prescribing authority of naturopathic doctors with that of physicians or other regulated healthcare professionals.
What Can Naturopaths Prescribe in Ontario?
The medications and substances that an authorized naturopathic doctor may prescribe are determined by Ontario regulation.
Rather than giving naturopathic doctors unrestricted access to prescription medications, Ontario maintains specific regulatory tables identifying substances that NDs may prescribe and any conditions or limitations that apply.
Depending on the substance and its regulatory status, the scope may include certain:
vitamins and minerals at prescription-level doses;
amino acids;
botanical substances;
bioidentical hormones;
thyroid-related preparations;
injectable nutrients or substances where specifically authorized;
other designated drugs included within Ontario’s regulatory framework.
Importantly, the exact list and applicable restrictions can change as regulations and professional standards evolve.
Patients should therefore not assume that an ND can prescribe a particular medication simply because it is used in naturopathic or integrative medicine.
The current Ontario regulations and the College of Naturopaths of Ontario’s prescribing tables should be used to determine whether a specific drug falls within an ND’s prescribing authority.
Naturopath Prescribing Rights in Ontario
Naturopath prescribing rights in Ontario are regulated, rather than determined independently by individual clinics or practitioners.
For a naturopathic doctor to prescribe an authorized drug, several professional requirements apply.
The ND must have an established naturopath-patient relationship and must have sufficient knowledge, skill, and judgment regarding both the medication and the patient’s condition.
The medication must be prescribed for a therapeutic purpose, and the practitioner must determine that its use is appropriate after considering factors such as potential benefits, risks, the patient’s circumstances, and available alternatives.
Naturopathic doctors who prescribe must also meet the additional prescribing education and examination requirements established by the profession’s regulatory framework.
These safeguards are designed to ensure that prescribing is integrated appropriately into the patient’s overall care.
Can Naturopaths Prescribe Antibiotics in Ontario?
This is one of the most common questions patients ask.
The answer requires an important distinction.
Naturopathic doctors in Toronto do not have general authority to prescribe any antibiotic they choose.
Their prescribing authority is restricted to the drugs specifically permitted under Ontario’s naturopathic regulations and to any limitations associated with those drugs.
Therefore, if you have an infection or believe you require an antibiotic, you should not assume that your naturopathic doctor can prescribe the medication you need.
An ND can assess whether your concern falls within their scope and, when appropriate, refer you to a physician, nurse practitioner, emergency department, or another healthcare professional who has the required prescribing authority.
This is one reason coordinated healthcare can be particularly valuable.
Can Naturopathic Doctors Prescribe Bioidentical Hormones?
Certain bioidentical hormones fall within the Ontario naturopathic prescribing framework, subject to the specific limitations established by regulation.
For example, Ontario’s regulatory tables contain certain forms of estrogen and progesterone with limitations concerning their use or route of administration.
This does not mean that hormone therapy is appropriate for every patient.
Before considering hormone treatment, an ND may evaluate factors such as:
symptoms;
medical history;
current medications;
relevant risk factors;
laboratory information when appropriate;
potential medication interactions; and
whether another healthcare professional should be involved.
Patients interested in hormone-related care can discuss their concerns as part of a broader assessment of hormonal health rather than beginning with the assumption that a particular prescription is necessary.
Can Naturopaths Prescribe Thyroid Medication in Ontario?
Certain thyroid-related medications or preparations may fall within the prescribing authority available to qualified Ontario naturopathic doctors, subject to the applicable regulatory requirements and limitations.
Thyroid symptoms can overlap with many other health concerns, so treatment should not be based on symptoms alone.
A comprehensive assessment may consider existing diagnoses, previous laboratory results, medications, supplements, symptoms, medical history, and whether additional testing or collaboration with another healthcare provider is appropriate.
If a medication or treatment falls outside an ND’s authorized scope, referral or collaborative care may be required.
Do Naturopaths Only Use Supplements and Natural Remedies?
No.
This is a common misconception about naturopathic medicine.
Supplements, botanical medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions can form part of naturopathic care, but they are not the only tools available.
Depending on the patient’s needs and the practitioner’s qualifications and scope, a treatment plan may incorporate:
nutrition and dietary strategies;
lifestyle modifications;
botanical medicine;
vitamins and minerals;
supplements;
acupuncture;
authorized prescription medications;
laboratory testing where permitted; and
referrals or collaboration with other healthcare providers.
The objective is not necessarily to choose between “natural” and “conventional” treatment.
Instead, treatment decisions should consider the patient’s individual circumstances, available evidence, potential benefits and risks, and the professional scope of the practitioner providing care.
How Does a Naturopath Decide Whether Medication Is Appropriate?
At Serene Clinic, treatment begins with understanding the individual rather than selecting a medication based solely on a symptom.
Depending on the reason for your visit, your naturopathic doctor may review:
your health concerns and symptoms;
medical and family history;
current prescription medications;
vitamins and supplements;
diet and lifestyle;
previous diagnoses;
available laboratory results;
potential medication or supplement interactions; and
your treatment goals and preferences.
Medication may be considered when it is clinically appropriate and within the ND’s authorized scope.
In other situations, nutrition, lifestyle changes, supplements, monitoring, additional assessment, or referral to another healthcare provider may be more appropriate.
Can You Take Medication From Your Medical Doctor While Seeing a Naturopath?
Yes. Many patients see a naturopathic doctor while continuing treatment with their family physician, specialist, nurse practitioner, or other healthcare professionals.
It is important to tell your ND about all medications and supplements you currently take.
The same applies when speaking with your physician or pharmacist.
Sharing this information helps healthcare providers identify potential interactions, duplicated treatments, contraindications, or other safety concerns.
You should not discontinue or change a prescription medication from another healthcare provider without discussing the change with the appropriate prescriber.
When Will a Naturopath Refer You to Another Healthcare Provider?
Responsible naturopathic care includes recognizing when another healthcare professional needs to become involved.
Referral or collaborative care may be appropriate when:
a required medication falls outside the ND’s prescribing authority;
symptoms require urgent medical assessment;
specialist evaluation is appropriate;
diagnostic investigation falls outside the naturopathic scope;
a patient’s condition requires treatment that an ND cannot provide; or
coordinated management would provide safer or more comprehensive care.
Ontario’s regulatory framework also establishes circumstances in which referral is required when a patient’s condition is beyond the scope of naturopathic practice.
Naturopathic Doctor vs. Medical Doctor: Who Can Prescribe Medication?
Both naturopathic doctors and medical doctors may have prescribing authority in Ontario, but their scopes of practice and prescribing authority are different.
Medical doctors generally have much broader authority to prescribe pharmaceutical medications.
Qualified naturopathic doctors have prescribing authority limited to substances specifically authorized within Ontario’s naturopathic regulatory framework.
The two professions should therefore not be viewed as interchangeable.
Depending on your health needs, naturopathic care may be provided alongside care from your family physician, specialist, pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other regulated healthcare professionals.
Why Patients Choose Serene Clinic for Naturopathic Care
At Serene Clinic, naturopathic care focuses on understanding the broader context of a patient’s health.
Our approach may consider nutrition, lifestyle, health history, current medications and supplements, relevant testing, and other factors that may be contributing to a patient’s concerns.
When prescription medication is appropriate and falls within the practitioner’s authorized scope, it can be considered as one component of a broader treatment strategy.
When another type of medical care is needed, collaboration and referral are an important part of responsible patient care.
Serene Clinic provides naturopathic care in Toronto as well as virtual naturopathic consultations for eligible patients across Ontario.
Conclusion
So, can naturopaths prescribe medication in Ontario?
Yes—but their prescribing authority is regulated and limited.
Qualified naturopathic doctors who have met Ontario’s prescribing requirements can prescribe specific drugs authorized under provincial regulations. They cannot prescribe every medication available to a medical doctor, and some authorized substances have specific limitations regarding dosage, formulation, or route of administration.
For patients, the most useful question is often not simply, “Can a naturopath prescribe this medication?” but rather, “What treatment is appropriate for my situation, and which healthcare professional is best qualified to provide it?”
A naturopathic doctor can assess your health concerns, discuss treatment options within their scope, consider potential interactions with your existing medications and supplements, and refer or collaborate with another healthcare professional when necessary.
Book a Complimentary Consultation
If you have questions about naturopathic medicine, prescription options, supplements, testing, or how naturopathic care may fit alongside your existing healthcare, you can speak with a licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Serene Clinic.
Book a complimentary meet-and-greet with Serene Clinic to learn more about your naturopathic care options in Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can naturopaths prescribe medication in Ontario?
Yes. Qualified naturopathic doctors in Ontario who meet the applicable prescribing requirements can prescribe specific drugs authorized under provincial regulations. Their prescribing authority is more limited than that of a medical doctor.
2. What can naturopaths prescribe in Ontario?
Ontario regulations identify specific drugs and substances that authorized NDs may prescribe. These may include certain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanical substances, bioidentical hormones, thyroid-related preparations, and other designated drugs. Limitations may apply depending on the substance, dosage, formulation, or route of administration.
3. Can a naturopath prescribe antibiotics in Ontario?
Ontario naturopathic doctors do not have general authority to prescribe any antibiotic. Their authority is limited to drugs specifically authorized by provincial regulation. If treatment requires a medication outside that scope, referral to another authorized healthcare provider may be necessary.
4. Can a naturopathic doctor prescribe medication?
Yes, depending on the jurisdiction. In Ontario, an ND must meet specific prescribing requirements and can prescribe only medications authorized within the provincial naturopathic scope of practice.
5. Do all naturopaths in Ontario have prescribing rights?
Not necessarily. An ND must meet the applicable education, examination, and professional requirements before performing the controlled act of prescribing.
6. Can naturopaths prescribe bioidentical hormones in Ontario?
Certain bioidentical hormones are included within Ontario’s naturopathic prescribing framework, subject to specific regulatory limitations. Whether hormone treatment is appropriate depends on the individual patient’s health circumstances and clinical assessment.
7. Can naturopaths prescribe thyroid medication?
Certain thyroid-related preparations may be within an authorized Ontario ND’s prescribing scope, subject to regulatory requirements and limitations. A clinical assessment is needed to determine whether treatment is appropriate.
8. Can I see a naturopath while taking prescription medication?
Yes. Patients commonly receive naturopathic care while taking medications prescribed by another healthcare professional. Tell your ND about all medications and supplements you use so potential interactions and safety considerations can be assessed.
9. Are naturopathic doctors regulated in Ontario?
Yes. Naturopathic doctors are regulated healthcare professionals in Ontario and practise under provincial legislation and the standards established by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
10. What happens if the medication I need is outside my naturopath’s scope?
Your naturopathic doctor may recommend referral or collaboration with an appropriate healthcare professional, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, specialist, or pharmacist, depending on your healthcare needs.
References
College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Prescribing & Labs.
Government of Ontario. Naturopathy Act, 2007 and Ontario Regulation 168/15.
College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Practice Tables – Drugs an ND Can Prescribe, Dispense, Compound and Sell.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Prescribing authority and professional standards may change. Consult the College of Naturopaths of Ontario and current Ontario regulations for the most current information.
