Article updated: 3/20/2013 8:35 AM

Illinois psychologists want ability to prescribe drugs

Buy this photo Buy this photo
Gallery Image

A proposal before the Illinois General Assembly would let some psychologists prescribe medicine.

About this Article

Illinois psychologists support a bill that would allow them to prescribe drugs, saying patients now have to wait too long to get medicine. The state's psychiatrists are against the measure, saying it would potentially allow people with virtually no medical training access to a prescription pad. An Illinois Senate panel has given early approval to psychologists, and a vote on the Senate floor could come later.