Discover: Can a naturopath prescribe medication, hormones or Ozempic?

What Is a Naturopathic Doctor (NDD)?

Naturopathic medicine is a holistic health discipline that emphasises natural therapies, lifestyle modification, and preventive care. In Australia, a NDD typically holds a Bachelor of Naturopathy or Master of Naturopathy from an accredited university and is registered with the Australian Naturopathic Association (ANA). Their scope of practice includes:

• Clinical assessment and diagnosis using history, physical examination, and basic laboratory tests.
• Prescription of dietary supplements, herbal medicines, and home‑care strategies that are classified as therapeutic goods under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
• Referral to other health professionals when conditions exceed their scope.

While NDDs can order blood tests in Australia, the extent of testing is limited to the tests that are available in the public or private laboratory sector. For example, a naturopath can request a basic metabolic panel or a thyroid panel, but they cannot order advanced imaging studies that require a medical doctor’s referral.
Can A Naturopath Order Blood Tests In Australia provides a practical overview of the tests that are typically within a naturopath’s remit.

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Legal Scope of Practice in Australia

Prescribing Medications

Under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the authority to prescribe prescription medicines is reserved for registered medical practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists. The TGA’s submission on the regulation of naturopathic prescribing [2] clarifies that naturopaths are not included in the list of authorised prescribers. Consequently, a NDD cannot legally write a prescription for a pharmaceutical drug, including over‑the‑counter medicines that require a prescription.

“Naturopathic doctors are not licensed prescribers of pharmaceutical medicines in Australia.”
— LegalClarity [4]

Prescribing Hormones

Hormones (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) are classified as prescription medicines. The TGA’s regulatory framework requires that only licensed prescribers can supply these agents. Therefore, a naturopath cannot prescribe hormone therapy for conditions such as menopause, and any hormone product they provide must be sold as a supplement or non‑prescription product that does not contain regulated hormone doses.

Prescribing Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP‑1 receptor agonist used for type‑2 diabetes and, more recently, for weight management. It is a prescription medication that falls under the PBS schedule. According to the TGA’s submission, only registered medical practitioners may prescribe Ozempic. Naturopaths are explicitly excluded from this list.

“Ozempic is a prescription drug for type‑2 diabetes and weight management, and only registered medical practitioners may prescribe it.”
— NaturalHealingNow [7]

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Prescription Authority: State and Territory Regulations

Each Australian state and territory maintains its own health regulatory body, but all adhere to the federal framework set by the TGA. For instance:

• New South Wales: The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) limits prescribing rights to medical practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists.
• Victoria: The Health Professions Act 2004 similarly restricts prescribing to registered professionals.
• Queensland: The Health Practitioners Act 2009 confirms that naturopaths are not authorised to prescribe prescription medicines.

These regulations are designed to protect public safety by ensuring that only practitioners with formal medical training and ongoing professional oversight can prescribe potentially hazardous drugs.

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Role of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

The TGA is the Australian government agency responsible for regulating therapeutic goods, including medicines, medical devices, and complementary medicines. Its key responsibilities in the context of naturopathic prescribing include:

1. Defining Prescribing Authority – The TGA’s 2024 submission [2] reiterates that naturopaths are not included in the list of authorised prescribers.
2. Classifying Therapeutic Goods – Products sold by naturopaths are typically classified as Complementary Medicines (Schedule 2 or 3), which can be sold without a prescription but must meet safety and efficacy standards.
3. Monitoring Adverse Events – The TGA requires reporting of serious adverse events from all therapeutic goods, ensuring that naturopathic supplements are subject to the same safety oversight as conventional medicines.

Because of these regulations, a naturopath can recommend and supply herbal remedies such as ginkgo biloba for cognitive support or ashwagandha for stress relief, but they cannot prescribe a prescription drug such as metformin for diabetes.

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Interaction with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

The PBS subsidises prescription medicines for Australian residents, making them more affordable. However, only medicines that are prescribed by a registered practitioner are eligible for PBS rebates. Since naturopaths cannot prescribe, any medication they recommend will not be subsidised under the PBS. This includes:

• Hormone replacement therapies (e.g., estradiol)
• GLP‑1 agonists such as Ozempic
• Antidiabetic agents like insulin or metformin

Patients seeking PBS‑subsidised medication must therefore obtain a prescription from a medical practitioner or a specialist.
For more detail on PBS prescribing rules, see the PBS explanatory notes [3].

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Practical Considerations for Patients

Choosing a Naturopath

If you are interested in naturopathic care, consider the following:

• Check registration – Ensure the practitioner is registered with the Australian Naturopathic Association (ANA).
• Clarify scope – Ask whether they can prescribe medication or only recommend supplements.
• Review treatment plans – A reputable NDD will provide a clear, evidence‑based plan that may include lifestyle changes, nutrition advice, and safe supplements.

When to Seek Medical Prescribing

• Chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disorders.
• Hormone therapy for menopause or androgen deficiency.
• Prescription medications like Ozempic for weight management or diabetes control.

Safety and Efficacy

While many supplements are generally safe, they can interact with prescription drugs or cause adverse effects. Always inform your medical practitioner of any supplements you are taking.
For instance, a naturopath may recommend a sleep‑support supplement (see the image below) to aid insomnia, but if you are also taking a sedative prescribed by a doctor, the combination could lead to excessive drowsiness.

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Common Misconceptions

Misconception	Reality
Naturopaths can prescribe any herbal remedy as a medicine.	Herbal remedies sold by naturopaths are supplements and not prescription medicines; they must comply with the Therapeutic Goods Act but are not subject to the same prescribing authority.
Hormone therapy can be safely prescribed by a naturopath.	Hormones are prescription medicines; only licensed prescribers can legally supply them.
Ozempic can be obtained from a naturopath.	Ozempic is a prescription drug; a naturopath cannot prescribe it.
Naturopathic treatment is always safer than conventional medicine.	While many naturopathic treatments are low‑risk, they can interact with prescription drugs and may lack rigorous evidence for efficacy.

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Summary and Take‑Away Points

• Naturopathic doctors in Australia are not legally authorised to prescribe prescription medicines, hormones, or Ozempic.
• They can recommend and supply supplements, herbal products, and lifestyle interventions that are regulated as complementary medicines.
• For any condition that requires a prescription, you must consult a registered medical practitioner, nurse, or pharmacist.
• Always verify a practitioner’s registration status and clarify the scope of their services before commencing treatment.
• If you are considering hormone therapy or a prescription medication like Ozempic, seek a medical prescription to ensure safety, efficacy, and potential PBS subsidy.

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References

1. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/natural-therapies-review-2024-naturopathy-evidence-evaluation.pdf — health.gov.au — https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/natural-therapies-review-2024-naturopathy-evidence-evaluation.pdf
2. https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/consult-medicines-130605-submission-anpa.pdf — tga.gov.au — https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/consult-medicines-130605-submission-anpa.pdf
3. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | For PBS Prescribers — pbs.gov.au — https://www.pbs.gov.au/info/healthpro/explanatory-notes/section1/Section_1_2_Explanatory_Notes
4. Can a Naturopathic Doctor Prescribe Medication? – LegalClarity — legalclarity.org — https://legalclarity.org/can-a-naturopathic-doctor-prescribe-medication/
5. Can Naturopathic Doctors Prescribe Medicine? – Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff — naturalhealinghawaii.com — https://www.naturalhealinghawaii.com/blog/can-naturopathic-doctors-prescribe-medicine/
6. Can Naturopathic Doctors Prescribe Medications? What You Need to Know – Bakker Natural Medicine — bakkernaturalmedicine.com — https://bakkernaturalmedicine.com/can-naturopathic-doctors-prescribe-medications-what-you-need-to-know/
7. Can Naturopaths Prescribe Ozempic — naturalhealingnow.com — https://www.naturalhealingnow.com/blog/can-naturopaths-prescribe-ozempic
8. Naturopathic Perspective on Ozempic – Dr Shawn — doctorshawn.ca — https://doctorshawn.ca/naturopathic-perspective-on-ozempic/