Prescribe and survive

Are optometrists serious about winning the right to prescribe therapeutic drugs to their patients?
The debate over whether optometrists should be given the right to prescribe therapeutic drugs to patients has raged for some time. As long ago as 1996 optician conducted a survey among GPs, ophthalmologists and optometrists garnering opinion on the issue. It became clear that over 90 per cent of optometrists expressed an interest in prescribing therapeutic drugs if they were given the right training. It was also clear, however, that ophthalmologists were not so keen. Around two-thirds said they were against the use of optometric therapeutics in principle and only half said optometric prescribing would be acceptable after training. In the discussions that followed, both the GP and ophthalmologistsÕ bodies opposed an expanded role for optometrists. By 1999 a report by Dr June Crown recommended the implementation of independent prescribing rights for optometrists but the profession still awaits news on prescribing despite the fact that the first optometric primary care referral schemes have started operating.
In the meantime, increased prescribing power for nurses and pharmacists has been introduced. The Government published its latest consultation on April 16 and the profession has until July 9 to make its submissions. Dr Crown has recently warned (News April 26) that if optometrists want prescribing rights they must gain the support of fellow professions and lobby government to achieve it. In response the professionÕs joint Therapeutics Steering Group will meet on June 24 to discuss the consultation paper.
optician is repeating its 1996 research to again gauge opinion. That research will hopefully establish if the desire among optometrists to prescribe still exists. If it does the profession will have to marshal its forces to make sure those rights are won.