Written question asked by Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 23 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 February 2026. It was answered by Zubir Ahmed (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Prescriptions: Occupational Therapy

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 71118 on Prescriptions: Occupational Therapy, what progress he has made on the wider programme of work relating to the medicines responsibilities of occupational therapists.

Answer

The Department supports expanding medicines responsibilities for non‑medical professionals where it is safe to do so. Appropriately trained occupational therapists can already supply and administer medicines under patient specific directions or patient group directions.

Any changes to medicines responsibilities follow a robust process to ensure patient safety. NHS England develops clinical cases for change with professional bodies, the Commission on Human Medicines provides advice, and, where proposals are progressed, the Department amends the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

The Department has recently concluded a consultation on extending medicines responsibilities for a group of allied health professionals. We are analysing the responses and will consider proposals relating to other professional groups once this work is complete.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 115024
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Prescriptions: Occupational Therapy
Tuesday, 9 September 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Prescriptions Occupational therapy
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Prescriptions: Occupational Therapy

Secondary information

Librarians' tools