Survey of Alberta hospital pharmacists' perspectives on additional prescribing authorization.

Purpose: The results of a survey to determine reasons for the slow adoption of prescribing authority by hospital pharmacists in the Canadian province of Alberta are presented.

Methods: A Web-based survey was conducted to elucidate pharmacist perspectives on additional prescribing authorization (APA), which permits independent prescribing by Alberta pharmacists who complete a peer-reviewed application process (at the time of the survey, only 52 hospital pharmacists had been granted APA). The survey elicited demographic data and practice characteristics and explored perspectives on APA and their influence on the decision to apply or not apply for APA.