Which type of providers are allowed to dispense and administer medications in Vermont?

In Vermont, physicians and dentists are granted the authority to dispense and administer medications as part of their practice. This is rooted in their comprehensive training, which includes the pharmacological knowledge necessary for prescribing medications, understanding their effects, and managing potential side effects or interactions.

Physicians have extensive education in clinical medicine, enabling them to evaluate patient conditions and determine appropriate treatments, including pharmacotherapy. Similarly, dentists are trained to handle medications relevant to dental care, including pain management and sedation.

The other categories of providers listed have varying degrees of restrictions when it comes to dispensing and administering medications. For instance, while pharmacists play a crucial role in medication dispensing and management, they were not included specifically in this question's answer. Nurse practitioners, although they can prescribe medications, typically function under a collaborative agreement and may not independently dispense medications in the same manner as physicians and dentists do. Chiropractic and acupuncture providers generally focus on non-pharmacological therapies, and herbalists or alternative medicine practitioners operate outside the conventional medical licensing framework, often without legislative backing to dispense conventional medications.