Optometrists in Australia have moved one step closer to being able to prescribe oral medicines with key changes to the current system now open for public consultation.
In a move welcomed by Optometry Australia (OA), the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) is seeking public input on its review of the Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines and Guidelines for use of scheduled medicines. Submissions close on December 24.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) recently updated the National Prescribing Competencies Framework for the federal government.
In a media release, the OBA said there were more than 7000 registered optometrists in Australia, and almost 80% of general registrants had an endorsement to prescribe scheduled medicines.
Under the changes, that endorsement would extend to oral medicines from an approved list published on the OBA website and subject to ongoing review to reflect contemporary eye health practices.
Patients would be able to receive treatment from optometrists for eye conditions that require oral medicines, instead of having to see multiple practitioners.
It said the changes supported the National Medicines Policy and the National Strategy for Quality Use of Medicines to make the best possible use of medicines to improve health outcomes for all Australians.
The move would provide greater access for patients, particularly in rural and remote areas where people may have difficulty accessing a GP or ophthalmologist for a prescription, it said.
In urgent cases, being able to access oral medicines without delay could prevent vision loss.
“Giving people with eye conditions timely access to the right treatment, under the care of qualified professionals, could make a real difference to people’s eye health,” OBA chair Mr Stuart Aamodt said.
“It could very well be the difference between a patient making a full recovery and being left with lasting damage or permanent loss of vision.
“The evidence demonstrates that optometrists in Australia are educated, trained, and qualified to safely prescribe both topical and oral medicines, but to date have not been able to offer their patients all treatment options,” he said.
“For more than a decade, Australian-trained optometrists who work in New Zealand have been able to safely prescribe oral medicines yet are not able to offer the same level of care here. It is time to update the requirements.”
OA welcomed the “long-awaited step after more than a decade of advocacy”.
It said the consultation was an opportunity for increased recognition of the profession’s critical role in Australia’s health workforce and marked a pivotal moment for the profession and their patients.
“Optometrists already carry the responsibility for identification and diagnosis of eye conditions, and this reform gives them the authority to complete management,” said Ms Skye Cappuccio, CEO of Optometry Australia.
“It streamlines care, reduces unnecessary referrals, and positions our profession as a key part of the health workforce solution.
“Overall, this reform is a crucial step towards modern recognition of optometrists’ role, and towards further workforce reforms that match the professions’ clinical responsibilities,” she said.
