A. A licensee may practice naturopathic medicine only to provide primary care, as "primary care" is defined in rules of the board, as follows:

(1) in collaboration with a physician licensed pursuant to the Medical Practice Act [Chapter 61, Article 6 NMSA 1978] or the Osteopathic Medicine Act [Chapter 61, Article 10 NMSA 1978]; and

(2) in alignment with naturopathic medical education to:

(a) perform physical examinations;

(b) order laboratory examinations;

(c) order diagnostic imaging studies;

(d) interpret the results of laboratory examinations for diagnostic purposes;

(e) order and, based on a radiologist's report, take action on diagnostic imaging studies in a manner consistent with naturopathic training;

(f) prescribe, administer, dispense and order the class of drugs that excludes the natural derivatives of opium, which are morphine and codeine, and related synthetic and semi-synthetic compounds that act upon opioid receptors;

(g) after passing a pharmacy examination authorized by rules of the board, prescribe, administer, dispense and order: 1) all legend drugs; and 2) testosterone products and all drugs within Schedules III, IV and V of the Controlled Substances Act [Chapter 30, Article 31 NMSA 1978], excluding all benzodiazapines, opioids and opioid derivatives;

(h) administer intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous, intra-articular and intradermal injections of substances appropriate to naturopathic medicine;

(i) use routes of administration that include oral, nasal, auricular, ocular, rectal, vaginal, transdermal, intradermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intra-articular and intramuscular consistent with the education and training of a naturopathic doctor;

(j) perform naturopathic physical medicine;

(k) employ the use of naturopathic therapy; and

(l) use therapeutic devices, barrier contraception, intrauterine devices, hormonal and pharmaceutical contraception and durable medical equipment.

B. As used in this section, "collaboration" means the process by which a licensed physician and a naturopathic doctor jointly contribute to the health care and medical treatment of patients; provided that:

(1) each collaborator performs actions that the collaborator is licensed or otherwise authorized to perform; and

(2) collaboration shall not be construed to require the physical presence of the licensed physician at the time and place services are rendered.

History: Laws 2019, ch. 244, § 6.

Effective dates. — Laws 2019, ch. 244 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 14, 2019, 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.