RNs working with doctors will be able to prescribe S4 and S8 drugs under the PBS after landmark legislation was passed by federal Parliament last week.

The legislation ensures RN prescribers become a so-called ‘PBS category’, but only applies to RNs with the equivalent of at least three years of full-time post-registration clinical experience — 5000 hours in the past six years — who have undertaken additional training.

All nurses wanting to prescribe under the PBS will apply for endorsement with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and, once endorsed, complete a six-month period of clinical mentorship.

One question is whether the PBAC, the expert committee tasked with determining what drugs are listed on the PBS, will have to assess the cost-benefit of the drugs when prescribed by RNs.