GOC develops new illegal practice strategy

A new strategy for tackling illegal practice has been announced by the General Optical Council including how to deal with illegal online contact lens sales.

Approved at a Council meeting this week, the strategy covered ‘all types of illegal practice prohibited by the Opticians Act 1989 from misrepresentation of title to online contact lens sales that do not comply with UK law’.

It follows a three-month consultation into the issue launched earlier this year (News 06.03.13) that has since attracted 31 written responses.

The GOC vowed to take a ‘proactive, multi-pronged approach’ by raising awareness among contact lens wearers to follow aftercare advice and have regular check-ups. It would also promote a code of practice for online contact lens suppliers, ‘acting on complaints in line with its prosecution protocol and strengthening its collaboration with other bodies with a role in enforcement and promoting public health’.