Tan Kiat How on prescribing rights in psychological disciplines

The Ministry of Health is working to register five psychological sub-disciplines, including clinical psychology, to elevate professional standards and accountability in community and preventive mental healthcare. In reply to an MP's questions in parliament on Wednesday (Nov 4), Senior Minister of State for Health Tan Kiat How said that while these professionals provide critical psychological interventions, they do not have prescribing rights and will continue to refer patients requiring medication to psychiatrists and family physicians. He clarified that extending prescribing rights is not currently planned and would strictly require proven clinical need, specialised training and robust institutional oversight.