New IP guidance expands scope of practice

Optometrists with independent prescribing (IP) qualifications can expand their scope of practice after the Royal Pharmaceutical Society published new national guidance.

The guidance was commissioned by the Welsh Government and developed collaboratively with professional bodies in the UK, including the College of Optometrists.

Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, said: ‘The College is once again delighted to work alongside fellow non-medical prescribing professions to produce guidance on safely expanding prescribing scope of practice. The resulting document provides a structured approach to support IP optometrists who are seeking to increase the range of therapeutic treatments they can prescribe to improve the care offered to their patients.’