A PROPOSAL by the Optometry Board of Australia to change prescribing rules for optometrists could see them prescribing oral medicines from an approved list to treat potentially sight-threatening eye conditions, bacterial eye infections, eye allergies and short-term eye pain.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has welcomed the proposal, recognising it as another positive step towards improving patient access to timely, affordable, and effective care.
Optometrists are currently permitted to prescribe topical medicines, and the move to extend this to oral medicines 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.
"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," Optometry Board of Australia Chair 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."
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 patients all treatment options.
The changes would bring Australia in line with other jurisdictions such as New Zealand, the UK and USA.
Guild National President Professor Trent Twomey said the proposal reflected a growing recognition that empowering qualified health professionals to practise to the full extent of their training delivered better outcomes for patients and communities - particularly in rural and regional Australia.
"When patients can access the right care from the right health professional at the right time, everyone benefits," Professor Twomey said.
"This proposal aligns with the Guild's long-held view that scope of practice reforms across health professions - including community pharmacy - are essential to strengthening Australia's primary care system."
Public consultation on the review of the Board's draft registration standard and guidelines for use of scheduled medicines is open until 24 Dec 2025 - learn more HERE. KB
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