Law unclear on substitution

The practice whereby an internet retailer can offer one contact lens brand as a direct substitute for another was not fully addressed at Monday's meeting, much to the annoyance of the British Contact Lens Association.

GOC chairman Varley said this was an issue that had been discussed at the meeting but is not clearly defined by the law at present. 'We have yet to reach a view as to whether it would be worth taking a purposive view on the law and take any action or to seek an urgent change in the law,' she said.

Responding, BCLA president Chris Kerr said the Association was 'disappointed that the GOC statement does not address the issue of brand substitution and the safety issue this may raise.'