The Department of Health has published draft regulations in Government Gazette No 34851, 14 December 2011, relating to the keeping, supply, administering or dispensing of medicines by registered nurses.

It has called for public comments to be submitted by the 15th of March 2012 to be submitted to: The Director-General: Health, Private Bag X828, Pretoria, 001.

The regulations empower nurses to keep, supply, administer, prescribe or dispense any medicine listed in the regulations, provided the nurse in question has made an application to do so to the relevant authority. Permission will only be granted to those who meet the relevant conditions set out in the regulations, including the requirement that nurses must have completed an accredited dispensing course.