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Alaskan ODs obtain oral prescribing privileges
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Optometrists in Alaska now can prescribe oral therapeutics and train to prescribe injectables after House Bill 113 was signed into law by Gov. Sarah Palin.
“This law is especially important in a state like Alaska where optometrists are often the only eye care physicians available in rural areas,” Kevin L. Alexander, OD, PhD, American Optometric Association president, said in a prepared statement. “The Alaska Optometric Association has worked for many years on this legislation in an effort to help ensure that every Alaskan receives the best eye care possible. It is truly the patients throughout the state who will benefit from the top-notch eye care and expanded treatment optometrists are now allowed to provide.”
The bill was sponsored by House Majority Leader Rep. Ralph Samuels.
Alaskan optometrists have been prescribing topical therapies since 1992. The new law, which was signed Sept. 14, authorizes all oral drugs, including controlled narcotics in Schedule III through Schedule V. Optometrists there also will be allowed to prescribe injectables.
“ODs must complete 30 hours of continuing education in order to be eligible to receive a license endorsement authorizing the use of systemic medications,” said Alaska Optometric Association (AKOA) Executive Director Tracy Oman. “Once the OD receives endorsement, they can inject for anaphylaxis only until January 2009. Then, they can inject pharmaceuticals that meet the requirements of the law.”
Those requirements are:
- For the treatment of ocular disease or conditions, ocular adnexal disease or conditions or anaphylaxis
- Is not a Schedule I, II or VI controlled substance
- Is not injected into the ocular globe of the eye
- Is not a derivative of Clostridium botulinum.
The credits will be available at the Alaska Optometric Association conference March 13 to 16, 2008.
“The law was passed after more than 10 years of grassroots campaigning, fundraising and testifying for committees,” said Mike Bennett, OD, AKOA president and chair of the legislative committee, who was instrumental in the passage of the legislation and testified at every hearing.
“The passage of this legislation has enabled optometrists in Alaska to practice at the level they are trained and needed,” Ms. Oman said. “Patients throughout the state will surely benefit by the increased access to high quality eye care.”
For more information:The Alaska Optometric Association and Mike Bennett, OD, president and chair of the legislative committee, can be reached at 1689 C St., Ste. 222, Anchorage, AK 99501; (907) 770-3777; fax: (907) 272-7532; e-mail: akoa@alaska.com; Web site: akoa.org.