Which healthcare professionals are prohibited from prescribing controlled substances?

Chiropractors are generally not authorized to prescribe controlled substances. This is primarily due to the scope of practice established for chiropractors, which focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders primarily through manual manipulation and other non-invasive techniques. While chiropractors can provide certain treatments and care, their legal scope does not encompass the prescription of medications, especially those categorized as controlled substances.

In contrast, podiatrists and optometrists possess the training and legal authority to prescribe certain medications, including controlled substances, within the confines of their specialties. Podiatrists focus on conditions of the foot and ankle and are granted the ability to prescribe medications to treat those specific areas. Similarly, optometrists, who deal with eye health and vision issues, have prescribing authority for medications relevant to their practice.

Physical therapists play a different role in the healthcare continuum, primarily focused on rehabilitation and therapeutic exercises, and they do not have the authority to prescribe any medications, including controlled substances. However, the key distinction is that chiropractors, unlike podiatrists and optometrists, have no prescribing authority, which is why they are singled out in this context.