The purpose of the rule is to clarify that the Board, not the Department, identifies those topical ocular pharmaceutical agents that a Certified optometrists may administer and prescribe.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Optometry

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B13-10.002: Administration and Prescription of Topical Pharmaceutical Agents
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule is to clarify that the Board, not the Department, identifies those topical ocular pharmaceutical agents that a Certified optometrists may administer and prescribe.
SUMMARY: The rule clarifies that the Board, not the Department, identifies those topical ocular pharmaceutical agents that a Certified optometrists may administer and prescribe.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 463.005(1) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 463.0055, 463.012, 463.0135, 463.016(1)(g), (k) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Joe Baker, Jr., Executive Director, Board of Optometry, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C07, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3257

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B13-10.002 Administration and Prescription of Topical Pharmaceutical Agents.

(1) Only a certified optometrist may administer and prescribe topical ocular pharmaceutical agents. A licensed practitioner who is not certified may use topically applied anesthetics solely for the purpose of glaucoma examinations, but is otherwise prohibited from administering or prescribing topical ocular pharmaceutical agents. Certified optometrists may administer and prescribe only those topical ocular pharmaceutical agents identified by rule of the Board Department.

(2) Any prescription for a topical pharmaceutical agent written by a certified optometrist shall contain the following information:

(a) Name of the person for whom the pharmaceutical agent is prescribed;

(b) Full name and address of the prescribing certified optometrist;

(c) Name of the topical pharmaceutical agent prescribed and the strength, quantity, and directions for use thereof; and

(d) Prescriber number and signature of the prescribing certified optometrist.

(3) When a topical pharmaceutical agent is either administered or prescribed to a patient by a certified optometrist, such shall be documented in the patients record.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 463.005(1) FS. Law Implemented 463.0055, 463.012, 463.0135, 463.016(1)(g), (k) FS. History–New 11-20-86, Formerly 21Q-10.002, 61F8-10.002, 59V-10.002, Amended_________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Optometry
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Optometry
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 22, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: August 7, 2009