Boots' laser claims questioned

Even though Boots has sold on its loss making laser eye surgery business the agony for the plc goes on. This week, in a rare move against a corporate body, the General Optical Council's disciplinary committee hosted a hearing brought against Boots Opticians regarding allegations that the business had breached publicity rules. The charge is that Boots Opticians has breached rule 3(b) of the General Optical Council Rules on Publicity 1985 by using a means of giving publicity to its business which made a claim not capable of substantiation. The particulars of the charge are that between May 31 2001 and July 1 2001, Boots Opticians published a leaflet entitled 'Boots Opticians: Your guide to Laser Eye Surgery' which contained the following statements: 'Throw away your glasses and contact lenses. For good' 'Look forward to a future without glasses or contact lenses'. optician understands the complainant, an optometrist based in the north, attended the hearing this week. The notice of inquiry at the GOC was dated September 30, a fortnight after Boots signalled it was to pull out of laser eye surgery and dentistry. The company was ordered to rephrase the literature by the Advertising Standards Authority in 2002 (News, February 8 2002). The hearing continued as optician went to press.