MHRA proposes new POM rights for DOs

Dispensing Opticians may soon be able to order wholesale supplies of prescription only medicines (POMs) under proposals being consulted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the General Optical Council (GOC).

The proposed changes are a result of increasing awareness over the illegality of DOs ordering POMs, a practice which the MHRA acknowledges has been customary for a number of years. Many suppliers now require that POM orders are signed by an optometrist, causing significant practical difficulties for opticians in sole practice that have irregular contact with visiting optometrists.

Under the proposals registered DOs will be able to obtain wholesale supplies of certain POMs for use by OOs attending their practices. DOs registered with the GOC as contact lens specialists would also be able to obtain wholesale supplies of POMs for administration in the course of their professional practice.